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AUTHOR: 


TUKE,  HENRY 


TITLE: 


WORKS 


PLACE: 

YORK 

DA  TE : 

1815 


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MEMBERS 


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SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS. 


By  HENRY  TUKE. 

■mi" 

VOLUME    L 

CONTAINING 

THE  LIFE  «F  GEORGE  FOX. 


potki 


PRINTED   BY   C.  PEACOCK,  FOR   W.  ALEXANDER. 

-SOLD    BY    M.    M.    AND    E.    If  EBB,    CAjnTER-STREtT,    BRISTOL; 

AND  BY  W.  PHILLIPS,  CEORG£-YAKI>,  LOMBARD-STREET; 

SARTON,  BARVSY,  AND  CO.  OR  ^CKCHLRCll  STREET; 

▲NO  Hr.PASTOM,  JLN.  HOLBOHN-IiILL;  L0NB9N. 

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PREFACE  TO  VOLUME  I. 

llIE  Publication  of  the  Prospectus  of  tHia 
Work,  in  1810,  appears  to  have  excited  an  expectation  of  its 
earlier  appearance,  than  was  in  the  Author*^  contemplation. 
At  that  time,  it  was  not  his  design  to  proceed  immediately, 
but  to  collect  the  sentiments  of  his  friends  on  the  subject; 
and  to  receive  such  materials  as  might  be  in  the  possession  of 
individuals,  either  not  printed,  or  but  little  known. 

.  Besides  the  apprehension  of  the  want  there  is  of  such 
a  Biographical  Publication,  he  was  also  induced  to  undertake 
it,  from  the  knowledge  that  a  Friend,  who  is  supposed  to 
possess  a  larger  Collection  of  Books,  written  hy  Members  of 
gur  Society,  than  any  other  individual,  intended  leavinf^  them 
to  the  Quarteriy  Meetiim  of  York  ;  by  which  means,  mafe- 
rials  for  such  a  Work  would  be  easily  within  the  Author's 
reach.  But  though  this  Friend  has  since  kindly  presented 
the  books  during  his  life,  he  has  not  yet  had  opportunity  to 
arrange  and  forward  rtiem.  Till  this  is  done,  it  is  appre- 
hended, but  little  progress  can  be  made  with  the  work.  It: 
is,  however,  intended  to  make  use  of  sucK  materials  as  can 
be  obtained;  and  to  proceed  as  quickly  as  the  Author's  other 
engagements  will  permit;  which  indeed  afford  him  but  little 
leisure  for  tliis  kind  of  employment.    This  explanation  i* 

a  e 


186323 


IV 


PREFACE. 


thought  necessar)',  to  account  for  the  lapse  of  time  which- 
has  occurred,  and  which,  perhaps,  may  yet  occur,  in  the  fur- 
ther prosecution  of  the  work. 

la  the  Prospectus  it  wa»  mentiotied,  that  the 
volumes  were  intended  to  be  published  in  octavo;  but,  on 
further  consideration,  the  duodecimo  size  has  been  preferred, 
because  more  matter  may  be  given  at  less  expense ;  and  be- 
cause a  volume  may  be  brought  out  more  frequently.  Care, 
however,  is  intended  to  be  taken  that  the  book  be  clearly 
and  neatly  printed;  and  to  accommodate  those  who  wish 
for  a  superior  work,  part  of  the  impression  is  struck  off  on  a. 
fine  paper  at  a  moderate  advance  in  the  price. 

This  Volume,  it  will  be  observed,  is  appropriated 
to  the  Life  of  George  Fox,  vrho  was  the  principal  instrument 
m  the  formation  of  our  religious  society.  At  a  time  when 
great  zeal,  but  much  unsettlement,  prevailed  iu  the  religious 
world,  this  eAtiaordinary  man  was  peculiarly  raised  up,  to 
gather  a  people  into  the  patient  waiting  for  Christ,  and  to  an 
attention  to  his  secret  illuminations  of  the  soul,  by  that  Light 
which  eulightenelh  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world. 

* 

Considering  him  in  this  point  of  view,  and  apprehending  that 
his  real  character  is  but  little  known,  on  account  of  the  va- 
luable Journal  of  his  Life  and  Labours,  published  soon  after 
Lis  decease,  being  very  voluminous,  it  has  appeared  desirable 
that  a  small  volume  should  be  occupied  with  an  account  of 
him,  selected  from  his  own  memoirs;  with  such  additional 
matter,  as  might  be  in  manuscript  only,  and  suitable  for 
puLlicatioD. 


yKEPACE..  t 

Fn  executing  this  work,  the  selection  of  the  most 
interesting  and  valuable  matter  has  been  attended  with  some 
ditliculty,  on  account  of  the  various  tastes  of  different 
readers.  To  some  it  may  appear  that  there  is  too  mnch 
minuteness,  to  others  that  too  much  valuable  matter  is 
omitted ;  and  there  mav  be  those  who  will  think  that  both 
these  errors  are  committed.  The  Author  certainly  does  not 
intend  to  be  so  particular,  in  recording  the  Life  of  any 
other  individual;  but  considering  that  this  memoir,  will 
contain  an  account  of  the  origin  of  our  Society,  a  particular 
.^  mention  of  those  places,  which  were  early  visited,  and  iu 
vrhich  Meetings  were  first  settled,  has  been  deemed  interest- 
ing to  Friends  in  general,  and  especially  to  those  who  reside 
at  or  near  such  places.  This  consideration  has  occasioned  ■ 
a  pretty  close  attention  to  the  route  of  his  travels,  and  the 
notice  of  most  of  the  places  he  has  mentioned;  at  least  iu' 
the  early  part  of  his  life. 

To  those  who  may  think  that  much  valuable  mat- 
ter has  been  omitted,  it  may  be  replied,  that  to  take  in  all 
of  that  description,  aiul  even  to  relate  at  length  what  has 
been  selected,  would  have  increased  this  volume  to  an  un- 
suitable size.  Many,  it  is  presumed,  will  read  this  Epitome, 
xvho  would  not  peruse  a  folio  volume ;  and  it  is  hoped  that 
some,  after  reading  this,  may  be  induced  to  peruse  the  ori- 
ginal; in  which  they  may  be  assured  they  will  find  mur?!^ 
BOt  inserted  here^  that  is  interesting  and  instructive. 

a  3 


V 


PREFACE. 


The  Reader  will  observe,  in  page  30  of  this  vo- 
lume, a  reference  to  some  Author,  who  gives  an  account  o§ 
the  practice  of  those  who  were  not  considered  regular 
JMiuisters,  preaching  in  the  places  of  public  worship.  This 
has  since  been  found  in  Gough*s  History  of  the  Quakers, 
Vol.  1,  page  86  to  89;  to  which  it  may  be  sufl&cient  to  refer 
the  Reader. 

From  the  accounts  which  Geoi^e  Fox  gives  of  the 
large  numbers  convinced  in  many  places,  we  may  be  led  to 
suppose  that  the  settled  Meetings  of  Friends  must,  at  that 
time,  have  been  very  large  in  those  places.  But  this 
docs  not  appear  to  have  been  always  the  case ;  if  we  may 
judge  from  the  size  of  those  Meeting-houses,  which  appear 
to  have  been  built  at- or  about  that  time.  For  instance,  at 
Synderhill  Green,  it  is  said,  that  some  thousands  attended 
the  Meeting,  and  that  there  was  a  general  convinceraent; 
This  place  is  on  the  confines  of  Yorkshire  and  Derbyshire, 
near  Handsworth  Woodhouse,  where  a  Meeting-house  was 
early  built,  which  it  is  supposed  could  not  accommodate 
more  than  two  hundred  persons.  From  this  and  similar 
circumstances,  it  appears  that  all  those  who  are  said  to  be 
convinced,  did  not  join  in  strict  membership  with  the  Society; 

liut  that  they  simply  assented  to  the  truth  of  the  doctrines 
preached  to  them.. 

In  the  Publication  of  this  Volume,  the  Author  has 
)|e^;,ia:an  especial  maoDer^  desirous  of  ftttracting  the  a(»- 


PREFACE. 


Vlt 


tention  of  the  Youth  of  that  Society,  which  George  Fox  had 
been  instrumental  in  forming,  to  the  labours,  the  sufferings, 
and  the^  character  of  this  devoted  servant  of  Christ.  To 
these  in  particular^  the  call  of  the  Almighty  to  the  Jews  is 
affectionately  recommended :  ^  Look  unto  Abraham  your 
father— r  called  him  [when]  alone,  and  blessed  him,  and 
increased  liim." 


N.  B.  It  is  apprehended  that  some  Friends  mav  possess 
Bianoscripts,  relating  to  George  Fox,  which  mi^ht  have  fur- 
nished additional  matter  for  this  volume.  If  this  is  the  case, 
the  Author  will  be  obliged  by  the  commnnication  of  them,  as> 
he  may  perhaps  find  an  opportunity  to  introduce  some  addi^ 
lion  afterwards,  on  the  subject  of  this  Memoir. 


CONTENTS^. 
CHAP.  I. 

W24  to  1649— G.  F:s  Birth,  Parentage,  and  HeUgious 
Disposition — His  serious  Thoughts,  xecret  Exercises  and 
Views  of' various  Points  of  Christian  Doctrine  arid  Prac- 
tice—His early  Travels  and  Jirst  Appearances  as  a  Mi- 
nkter—with  the  Subjects  of  his  Mission     .     .     .     p.  13- 

CHAP.  II. 

1649  to  1651 — Many  convinced  by  his  Ministry Preaches 

in  Places  uf  Public  Worship— hnprismied  at  2^'ottingham, 
but  soon  released— Long  Imprisonment  at  Derby— Many 
remarkable  drcumslauces  occur  there      ...     p.  2a 

CHAP.  HI. 

1G51  to  \Qb1— Extraordinary  Concern  at  Litchfield— Tra- 
rels  through  Nottinghamshire  into  Yorkshire,  S^c  where 
there  are  great  Canvinccments p.  39 

CHAP.  IV. 

1657— Visits  several  Places  in  Westmoreland  and  Tjoncashire— 
His  first  Visits  at  Judge  Feli's,  Suarthmore  Hall—h 
cruelly  treated  at  the  hie  of  Walney— Predicts  the  Dis- 
solution if  the  Long  Parliament p.  50 

CHAP.  V. 

1053 — Fasts  ten  Days—  Visits  Cumberland — Anthony  Pear- 
son and  many  others  are  convinced — Is  arrested  at  Car- 
lisle, and  committed  to  Prison-— Ajter  his  Liberation,  goes 
into  Westmoreland,  Durham,  and  2sorthumbtriand  .  p.  63 

CHAP.  VL 

1€54 — 'Returns  into  Yorkshire — Large  Meeting  at  Synder- 
hill  Green — Goes  into  Nottinghamshire  and  Derbyshire 
m^Visits  his  Relations  in  Leictstcr shire,  and  travels  to 
London— Visits  Bedfordshire — Returns  to  Ijondon  and 
goes  toKentySuiseuj  and  Berks^ Again  visits  Londgn^ 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


mnd  several  Eastern  and  Midland  CountieS'-^Writes  an 
Epistle  to  Friends  in  Ireland     .     .     ....    p.  73 

CHAP.  VII. 

1655  to  i6 5 6— Travels  through  the  Counties  of  Northampton, 
Bedford,  and  Herts,  to  London — Leaves  L$ndon  for 
Surrey,  Sussex,  Hants,  Dorset,  Devon,  and  CornwalU^ 
Is  imprisoned  at  Launceston  about  six  months,  where  he 
is  very  cruelly  treated ,     p.  89 

CHAP.  VIH. 

1656 — Being  released,  he  visits  other  Places  in  Cornzcall-—- 
Passes  through  Launceston  into  Devon — At  Exeter  finds 
James  Nuylor  in  Prison,  in  a  detrkened  State  of'  Alihd—^ 
Admonishes  him  and  his  Companions — Comts  to  Bristol, 
and  has  two  large  Meetings-— 'Travels  to  London,  and 
visits  Oliver  Cromwell — Travels  into  the  North  as  far  a& 
Yorkshire,  and  returns  to  London     .     ...     p.  104 

CHAP.  IX. 

1656-7 At  London  writes  various  Epistles,  and  visits  the 

Meetings  of  his  Friends — Travels  into  Kent,  Sujuiex, 
Surrey,  Hants,  SfC.  to  Bristol — Visits  Part  of  Wales-^ 
Leaves  it  for  awhile^  but  soon  returns — Goes  into  Che* 
shire  and  Lancashire — At  Swart hmore  stays  about  two 
Weeks-— Travels  through  Westmoreland  and  Cumberland, 
towards  Sa)tland •     .     p.  112- 

CHAP.  X. 

1657-8 — Viiits  Scotland — Returns  through  Northumberland, 
Durham,  Yorkshire,  S)C.  towards  London — A  General 
Yearly  Meeting  held  in  Bedfordshire — In  London  di<>- 
putes  with  a  Jesuit — Advises  Oliver  Cromwell  against- 
accepting  the  Title  of  King — Writes  to  his  Daughter 
Claypole p.  127 

CHAP.  XI. 

1658-60 Leaves  London— Meet^  Cromwell  in  the  Park  at 

Hampton- Coi^rt — Goes  into  Bucks — Returns  to  London^*. 


<:OJ«JTEI>ITS. 


u 


CONTENTS. 

Goes  into  Esiex-^Hears  of  CromwelVs  Death-^KeturTa 
to  London—Goes  to  Reading—Suffers  much  in  Bodi/  and 
Mind— Comes  again  to  London— Travels  as  far  as  Corn-^ 
wail— Remonstrates  on  the  Practice  (f  plundering  wrecked 

....    p.  147 


Vesselt 


CHAP.  XII. 

1660— From  Cornwall  proceeds  by  Devon  and  Somerset  to 
Bristol— Has  large  Meetings  there— Conies  to  Worces^ 
ter— Great  Excesses  on  the  King*s  return— Visits  his 
Relations  in  Leicestershire— Comes  by  Derbyshire  into 
Yorkshire— Yearly  Meeting  at  Balby— General  Meeting 
0t  Skipton—Is  committed  to  Lancaster  Jail— Is  removed 
to  London  and  liberated p.  157 

CHAP.  XHI. 

1660-2 — Short  Cessation  of  Persecution— Renewed  on  Account 
of  the  Fifth  Monarchy  Men— George  Fox,  in,  London^ 

is  taken  vpandliberated— Exerts  himself  Jor  his  suffering 
Friends  here,  and  in  New  England  and  Malta — Goes  to- 
Bristol— Returns  to  London^— Travels  Northward'-^ 
Is  imprisoned  in  Leicestershire,  and  liber  at  ed^-^Returns 
to  London— Visits  the  Eastern  Counties,  and  comes  again 
to  London- p.  uq.. 

CHAP.  xrv. 

t£62-S— Visits  Friends  in  the  City— Travels  into  Kent,  SiiS- 
sex,  4'c.  to  Cornwall — Returns  through  Devon,  Bristol,. 
4r.  to  Wales— Thence  into  the  Northern  Counties  as  far 
as  Northumberland  and  Cumberland— Comes  to  Swarlh- 
more — Is  commilied  to  Lancaster  Jail— Undergoes  a  long 
and  cruel  Imprisonment  there  and  at  Scarborough  .  p.  185 

CHAP.  XV. 

1666  to  1669— Remarks  on  George  Fox's  Imprisonment  and 

Oaths— After  his  Release,  hears  of  the  Fire  in  London 

Travels  in  divers  Parts  of  Yorkshire,  and  through  the 
Counties  of  Derby,  Nottingham,  Leicester,  ^c.  to  Lon^ 
don — Visits  the  Ruins  there— Goes  to  Bristol f_Qnd  returns. 


€o  London— Establ^hes  Meetings  .fer  Discipline  in  Lon- 
don and  most  Parts  of'  the  Nation  ^^  Also  promotes 
Schools — Visits  Esquire  Marsh  in  London-—  Disputes 
uith  a  Papist — Goes  into  Surrey  and  Sussex — Turns  into 
Warwickshire — Passes  through  Nottinghamshire,  York- 
shire, S)C.  to  Liverpool — Sails  for  Ireland,  and  vi&its 
Friends  there .     p.  202 

CHAP.  XVI. 

1669^0  1671 — Returns  from  Ireland-^-Travels  through  Lan- 
cashire, Cheshire,  dfc.  to  Nailsworth,  in  Gloucestershire^-— 
Singular  Circutnstanfe  occurs  there-^Goes  to  Bristol'— 
Is  married  to  Margaret  Fell — Pusses  through  Wilts, 
Berks,  Oxon,  and  Bucks,  to  London — Endeavours  to  ob- 
tain his  Wifc^s  release  frotn  Premunire — 'Sufferings  in 
xonsequence  if  the  ConventicU  Act — Travels  into  various 
Counties — Sujfers  much  in  Body  and  Mind,  on  account 
of  Profaneness  and  Persecutum — His  Prayer  on  that 
account     .,.•...,....    ^     p.  216 

CHAP.  xvn. 

1671  to  1673— Obtains  a  more  complete  liberation  for  his 
Wife— Sails  for  America — Lands  in  Barbadoes — Con- 
tinues there  three  Months — Goes  to  Jamaica — After 
spending  seven  Weeks  there,  sails  /or  Maryland — Thence 
travels  through  New  Jersey,  £fc.  to  Long  Island,  Rhode 
Island, and  New  England — Returns  by  East  Jersey,  ^c. 
to  Maryland — Goes  to  Virginia  and  Carolina — Returns  > 
ngain  to  Maryland — Sails  for  England — Lands  in  King*s 
Road,  near  Bristol — Writes  to  his  Wife      .      ,    p.  226 

CHAP.  xvni. 

1673  to  1677 — Continues  ■•about  Bristol,  where  his  Wife  and  others 
meet  him-^Trarels  into  Gloucestershire  and  IVilts — Describes 
the  Service  of  tVomen's  Meetings — Comes  to  London — Travels 
with  his  Wife  towards  Sumrthmore — Is  arrested  on  the  Way — 
Js  imprisoned  at  Worcester — Removed  by  Habeas  Corpus  to 
London — Afterwards  to  Worcestr,  and  again  to  London — Is 
honourably  liberated,  and  goes  with  his  Wife  to  Swartkmore — 
4Sontinues  there  nearly  tico  Years     ...«,.    p.  J49 


XM 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  XIX. 

1677,  ierS^Leaves  Swart hmore—Travels  into  Yorkshire,  md 
thence  to  London— Accompanies  WiUiam  Venn  to  his  House 
at  Worminghurst-^Retnms  to  London,  and  sails  with  several 
Friends  to  Holland— At  Amsterdam  writes  to  the  Princess 
Elizabeth  of  the  Rhine- Her  A fi.wer- Visits  many  Places  in 
Holland  and  Germany- Returns  to  England  —  Lands  ai 
Harwich,  and  goes  to  l^ndon-  Thence  into  Jiucks  and  Bris^ 
4ol-UlM>urs  much  and  succes.rfully  with  these  who  oppose  the 
Discipline— Returns  to  London p  ^gg 

CHAP.  XX. 

4678  ^0  1684— &M  Services  in  London-Goes  by  Herts,  IVar^ 
wickshire,  ^c.  to  Swarthmore— Continues  there  above  a  Year 
^n  rites  an  I.pistle  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London- 
Leaves  Swarthmore,  and  goes  by  Yorkshire,  ifc.  to  London- 
Attends  the  Yearly  Meeting  there- At  Kingston  writes  to  the 
Great  Turk,  and  to  the  King  of  Algiers- Visits  Friends  in 
Suney  and  Sussex- Returns  to  London— In  a  Suit  for  Tithes 
the  Judges  are  surprised  at  his  liberal  Conduct  to  his  Wife 
and  her  Children- Makes  Excursions  to  the  Country,  return^ 
ing   to  London -Again  visits  Holland,   and    returns   to 

England     ..... 

p. 279 

CHAP.  XXI. 

1685  to  t690-JVrites  an  Epistle  to  Friends  on  Account  of  Com^ 
motions  in  the  Nation- Account  of  his  Gift  of  Land  and 
Meeting-House  at  Swarthmoie- Resides  principally  about 
London-An  Epistle  to  the  Yearly  Meeting;  at  York-In- 
^^^ing  Infirmities- His  Death  and  Burial  .    .     .    p.  m 

CHAP.  XXH. 

Account  of  his  Property— His  Character p.  gjg 

APPENDIX, 

Containing  an  Account  of  George  Fox's  PubliaUiom     .    ..    32^ 


LIFE 


OF 


GEORGE  FOX. 


CHAP.  I. 

16*24  to  1649 — G.  F*s  Birth,  Parentage,  and  Religioil^ 
Disposition — His  serious  Thoughts,  secret  Exercise^ 
and  Views  of  various  Points  of  Christian  Doctrine 
and  Practic€--^His  earli/  Travels  and  Jirst  Appear^ 
ances  as  a  Mmister-^with  the  Subjects  of  his  Mission, 

OEORGE  FOX  was  born  in  the  year 
1624,  at  Drayton  in  the  Clay,  in  Leicestershire. 
This  place  I  suppose  to  be  the  same  as  is  called 
Fenny  Drayton  in  our  modern  maps.  He  was 
the  son  of  Christopher  and  Mary  Fox,  both  of 
whom  appear  to  have  been  virtuous  characters ; 
and  his  father  was  so  much  esteemed  by  his 
neighbours  as  to  be  called  "  Righteous  Christer." 
They  would,  no  doubt,  instruct  their  children  in 
the  principles  of  religion ;  but  it  does  not  appear 
that  they  gave  their  son  much  learning ;  yet  such 
was  the  gravity  of  his  spirit,  and  the  purity  of 
his  manners  whilst  a  child,  that  some  of  his  re- 
lations were  desirous  of  his  being  educated  for 


14 


ilFE    OF    CEORCE    FOX, 


the  ministry.     To  this  some  of  his  friends  ob- 
jecting, he  was  put  apprentice  to  a  shoemaker, 
uho  was  also  a  grazier  and  a  dealer  in  wool  ; 
but  it  seems  George  was  principally  employed 
in  country  business,  and  particularly  in  the  care 
of  sheep,  an  employment  suitable  to  his  retired 
disposition,  and,  as  Wm.Penn  observes,  "  a  just 
figure  of  his  after  ministry  and  service."     In 
this  station  he  discharged  his  duties  with  great 
fidelity,  and  was  remarkable  for  his  veracity  and 
sobriety ;   but  his  tender  spirit  was  often  op- 
pressed with  the  inconsistent  conduct  of  many 
religious  professors,  and  great  was  the  trouble 
of  his  innocent  mind  on  this  account.     He  was 
at  this  time  frequently  engaged  in  fervent  prayer, 
and  received,  as  he  informs  us,  this  divine  inti- 
mation :  «  lliou  seest  how  young  people  go 
together  into  vanity,  and  old  people  into  the 
earth:  thou  must  forsake  all,  young  and  old; 
ieep  out  of  all,  and  be  as  a  stranger  to  all." 

About  the  20th  year  of  his  age,  tlie  exercise 
of  his  mind  increased  upon  him  so  much,  that 
he  travelled  to  various  parts  of  the  country, 
with  the  hope  of  finding,  among  religious  pro- 
fessors,  some  relief  to  his  afflicted  state;  but  for 
a  time  his  conflicts  of  spirit  continued,  and  he 
was  tempted  almost  to  despair.  It  does  not 
liowever  appear  that  this  temptation  was  of  hm 


LIFE    or    GEORGE    FOX. 


1^ 


duration,  though  he  was,  in  other  respects,  much 
tried  and  tempted  for  two  or  three  years.  In 
the  course  of  his  travels  he  came  by  Lutterworth, 
Northampton,  New  port- Pagnel,  and  Barnet,  to 
London,  where  he  was  much  affected  with  the 
•General  state  of  different  religious  societies,  with 
none  of  whom  he  could  freely  unite.  Here  he 
heard  that  his  relations  were  uneasy  with  his 
absence  from  home,  which  induced  him  to  re- 
turn to  them.  They  seem  to  have  been  much 
strangers  to  the  nature  of  his  religious  exercise ; 
some  of  them  proposing  marriage,  and  others  a 
military  life,  to  remove  that  deep  thoughtfulness 
which  attended  him  on  account  of  his  sours 
welfare,  and  those  things  which  relate  to  the 
kingdom  of  God.  During  this  time  of  sore 
conflict,  he  applied  to  several  Ministers  in  dif- 
ferent places  for  advice  and  assistance,  but  none 
of  them  afforded  any  relief  to  his  tribulatcd 
spirit. 


Whilst  his  mind  was  thus  exercised,  he  re* 
chived  many  precious  openings  of  divine  truths, 
and  of  the  nature  of  Christ's  kingdom;  one 
proof  of  which  he  gave  in  his  reply  to  the  Priest 
of  Drayton,  who  asked  him,  why  Christ  cried 
out  on  the  cross,  "  My  God,  my  God,  why 
hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?"  and  why  he  said,  *'  If 
it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from  me;  Vet 


Bo 


2^ 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


not  my  will  but  thine  be  done."  To  this  George 
replied:  "At  that  time  the  sins  of  all  mankind 
were  upon  Christ,  and  their  iniquities  and  trans- 
gressions  with  which  he  was  wounded,  which 
he  was  to  bear  and  to  be  an  offering  for,  as  he 
was  man,  but  died  not  as  he  was  God ;  so  in 
that  he  died  for  all  men,  tasting  death  for  every 
man,  he  was  an  offering  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world."   This  answer  greatly  pleased  the 
Priest,   who,   at  that  time,   highly  applauded 
George  Fox,  and  would  frequently  make  use  of 
iws  observations  in  composing  his  own  sermons. 
This  man,  however^  afterwards  became  one  of 
his  persecutors. 

Other  subjects,  connected  with  the  spirituality 
of   the   gospel  dispensation,  were,   about  thi^ 
time,  presented  to  his  understanding;  partici*-^ 
Jarly  that  human  learning  was  not  only  insuffici- 
ent, but  unnecessary,  for  making  a  Minister  of 
Christ ;   and   that   there  was  no  extraordinary 
holiness  in  those  places  of  religious  worship, 
called  churches,  which  were  superstitiously  re- 
garded  as  "  dreadful  places,  holy  ground,  and 
the  temples  of  God."     The  great  importance 
which  was  then,  and  has  since  been  attached  to 
human  learning,  he  justly  considered  to  be  a 
means  of  preventing  the  free  ministry  of  the 
gospel   of  Christ.     The  maintenance    of  the 


llFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


17 


Priests,  which  was  forced  from  the  people,  whe- 
ther hearers  or  not,  appeared,  to  his  understand- 
ing,  not  only  inconsistent  with  the  nature   of 
gospel  ministry,  and  the  direction  of  its  Author, 
who  said  to  his  disciples,  "  freely  ye  have  re- 
ceived, freely  give;"   but  he  also  considered  it 
injurious  to  the  cause  of  religion,  by  exciting  in 
its   ministers   those  feelings   of  ambition   and 
avarice,  by  which  their  ministerial  labours  are 
often  rendered  fruitless,   if  not  contemptible. 
But  though  he  had  great  openings  on  these  and 
other  subjects,  yet  he  was  still  liable  to  many 
temptations  and  much  trouble  of  mind,  so  that 
when  ;t  was  day  he  wished  for  night,  and  when 
it  was  night  he  wished  for  day;  but  this  proved 
a  profitable  dispensation,  deepening  him  in  reli- 
gious experience,  and  enabling  him  to  adopt 
the  words  of  David :  "  Day  unto  day  uttereth 
speech,  and  night  unto  night  showeth  know- 
ledge."    He  found  the  various  views  in  which 
different  subjects  were  presented  to  his  mind, 
to  be  consistent  not  only  with  each  other,  but 
also  with  the  Holy  Scriptures,  with  which  he 
appears  to  have  been  early  and  intimately  ac- 
quainted, and  for  which  he  had  a  very  hi^h 
esteem. 


Whilst  in  this  exercised  state  of  mind,  he  fra- 
^elled  into  Warwickshire.    At  Coventry,  ia  the 

B  3 


Id 


Life  of  george  fox. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


19 


year  1644,  he  took  lodgings  for  a  short  time, 
and  became  acquainted  with  many  serious  ten- 
der-spirited people  there.     From  this  place  he 
returned   into  Leicestershire;    after  which  he 
again  went  into  Warwickshire  in  the  year  l64^, 
passing  by  Mansetter,  Tamworth,  and  Coven- 
'  try;  at  which  places  he  opened  his  situation  to 
some  Priests,  high  in  religious  profession;  from 
whom,  however,  he  received  such  advice  and 
treatment  as  indicated  that  they  were  deficient 
in  true  religious  experience.    In  the  year  1646', 
he  appears  to  have  again  taken  up  his  residence 
at  Coventry.     The  following  year  he  went  into 
Derbyshire   and   Nottinghamshire.      In   these 
counties   he   had  many  discourses  with  some 
well-disposed  people,  and  in  the  latter  he  met 
with  a  woman  named  Elizabeth  Hooton.    This 
is  the  first  person  whom  George  Fox  mentions 
by  name,  that  we  have  reason  to  believe  united 
with  him,  and,  except  himself,  was  the  first 
public  preacher  of  tlie  doctrines  professed  by 
them.     Whilst  in  these  parts,  his  troubles  and 
exercises  continued:  he  fasted  much;  and,  with 
no  companion  but  his  Bible,  walked  abroad  in 
solitary  places  till  night  came  on.    Even  during 
the   night  he   frequently  thus  spent   his   time 
in    solitude,   and  retirement  from  the  worid; 
and,  like  the  forerunner  of  our  blessed  Lord, 
with  others  who  have  been  distinguished  for 


m 


eminent  religious  services,  he  was,  in  this  state 
of  seclusion,  prepared  for  the  services  to  which 
he  appears  to  have  been  particulariy  called. 

The  troubles    of  this  exercised   man    were 
not  only  attended  with  many  religious  prospects, 
but  were  also  intermixed  with  much  divine  con- 
solation.   His  own  expressions,  on  this  occasion, 
«re  these  :  "  As  I  cannot  declare  the  misery  I 
was  in,  so  neither  can  I  set  forth  the  mercies  of 
God  unto  me,  in  all  my  misery.   Oh !  the  everiast- 
ing  love  of  God  to  my  soul,  when  I  was  in  great 
distress  :  when  my  troubles  and  torments  were 
great,    then    was    his    love   exceeding    great. 
Thou,'  Lord!  makest  a  fruitful  field  a   barren 
wilderness,  and  a  barren  wilderness  a  fruitful 
j&eld.      Thou    bringest   down   and   settest  up ; 
thou  killest  and  makest  alive.     All  honour  and 
glory  be  to  tliee,  O  Lord  of  Glory  !" 

r 

The  nature  ©f  the  exercises  into  which  he  was 
introduced,  and  the  openings  which  accompanied 
them,  tended  to  draw  him  from  the  Priests  of 
the  established  Church,  and  to  look  more  after 
the  Dissenters;  yet  he  did  not  find  amongst 
these,  that  which  his  soul  sought  after,  or  thoie 
who  could  speak  to  the  tried  condition  of  his 
mind ;  but  when  all  hopes  from  others  were 
gone,  he   heard  a   voice,   which  said  to  hini, 


1 


itw 


eo 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


21 


i 


"  Tliere  is   one,   even  Christ  Jesus,  that  carf 
speak  to  thy  condition."     This  produced  great 
relief  to  his  exercised  mind,  and  caused  his  heart 
10  leap  for  joy.    His  desires  after  the  Lord  grew 
stronger,  and  bis  zeal  in  the  pure  knowledge  of 
God  and  of  Christ  alone,  without  the  help  of  any 
man  or  book,  increased ;  for  though  be  read  the 
scriptures,  which  speak  of  Christ,  yet  he  knew 
him  not  savingly,  but  by  revelation,  and  as  the 
Father  drew  him  to  his  Son,  by  his  Spirit.-- 
ITius  it  pleased  the  Lord  gently  to  lead  him 
alon^,  and  to  let  him  see  that  love  which  was 
eternal,   surpassing  all   knowledge  which  men 
have  in  their  natural  state,  or  can  obtain  from 
books.     This  love  frequently  occupied  his  mind, 
and  filled  him  with  admiration,  in  contemplating 
its  extent  and  infinity.     Here  he  saw  that  all 
was  done,  and  to  be  done,  in  and  by  Christ, 
Mho  conquers  and  destroys   the   Devil  and  all 
his  works.     His  heart  was  thus  strengthened  to 
trust  in  God ;  and  hope,  that  anchor  of  th^  soul, 
stayed  his  often  tossed  mind,  until  he  perceived 
that  all  his  troubles  and  temptations  were  good 
for  him ;  tending  to  establish  his  faith  on  Christ, 
the  rock  of  ages,  and  qualifying  him  to  minister 
feelingly  to  others,  who  might  be  similarly  tried. 

After  passing  through  these  dispensations,  he 
became  more  easy  in  his  mind;  ihouah  pot 


altogether  exempt  from  frequent  inward  suifer- 
in-s'';  and  he  was  soon  after  engaged  to  preach 
the  gospel,  or,  as  he  calls  it,  "  declare  the  truth 
to  others."    His  first  appearances  as  a  mmister, 
unless   we   consider   tte   discourses   which  he 
mentions  in  Derbyshire  and  Nottingamshire,  as 
such,  took  place  at  Duckenfield  and  Manches- 
ter, in  the  year  l647,  when  he  was  about  twenty- 
three  years  of  age.  Some  persons  were  convinced 
by  his  ministry,  and  united  with  him  in  religious 
fellowship ;  which  was  also  the  case  after  a  large 
meeting  at  Broughtoa,  in  Leicestershire,  and 
some  others  in  Nottinghamshire.     His  ministry 
xvas  so  powerful,  and  his  conduct  so  remarkable 
in  various  respects,  that  people  came  from  far 
and  near  to  see  him ;  and  a  person  of  the  name 
of  Brown,  when  on*  his  death-bed,  foresaw  and 
foretold  the  work  which  George  Fox  would  be 
instrumental   to   accomplish.     These   circum- 
stances,  however,  excited  a  fear  in  the  mmd  of 
the  latter,  lest  he  should  be  drawn  into  self- 
exaltation  ;  and  this  fear  preserved  him,  at  this 
time,  and  many  others,  from  being  carried  away 
by  the  high  opinion  which  some  persons  enter- 
tained of  his  gifts  and  services.    ^Fhe  aflfectionate 
part  in  us,  is  apt  to  indulge  itself  too  freely  in 
expressions  to  those  from  whom  religious  be- 
nefits have  been  received ;  and  it  requires  great 
care  in  those  who  are  made  instruments  of  good 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE   FOX. 


Q3 


22 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


to  Others,  to  keep  in  liumility,  and  watchfulness, 
and  remember  the  query-."  What  hast  thou  that 
thou  hast  not  received  ?"  In  this  respect  there 
is  good  reason  to  believe  that  the  subject  of  thifi 
memoir  was,  from  his  youth,  a  bright  example. 

Having  now  separated  himself  from  all  reli- 
gious societies,  he  travelled  in  Nottinghamshire 
and  the  neighbouring  counties,  taking   oppor- 
tunities of  various  kinds,  by  which  large  multi- 
tudes  of   people  were  drawn  together,  to  turn 
men  from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ ;  fre- 
quently   reproving   them    for   their   vices,   and 
occasionally  disputing  Nvith  those  that  opposed 
liis  doctrines.     Such    was    the   success   of  his; 
labours,  in  the  year    1(548,  and  the  two  yearft 
preceding,  that  divers  xMeetings  of  his  Friends 
were   established;    and   we   are    told    that   his 
fellow  professors  were  gathered  to  the  teaching 
of  Christ,  by  that  light,  spirit,  and  power,  which 
broke  forth  daily  more  and  more  wonderfully. 

It  has  already  been  intimated,  that  the  first 
motive  which  induced  him  to  separate  from 
other  religious  societies,  was  a  conviction  of  the 
insufficiency  of  all  human  teaching,  not  under 
the  influence  of  the  holy  Spirit,  and  of  the  suf- 
^iciency  of  that  inward  anointing  which  the 
-Apostle  says,  teaches  us  all  things;  so  that  there 


13  no  absol ute  necessity  for  those  who  are  willing 
to  attend  to  its  instructions,  that  any  man  should 
teach  them.    Now  also,  in  his  going  forth  in  reli- 
gious service,  he  found  it  his  duty  to  lay  aside  se- 
veral complimentary  practices,  which  he  saw  to 
be  inconsistent  with  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ.     Such  were  the  bowing  of  the  body, 
and    putting    off    die    hat,    from    respect    to 
persons  or  places  ;  also  the  use  of  the  plural 
number   to   a  single  person,  with  other  com- 
plimentary  expressions.      His   declining   these 
practices    subjected    him     to    much    obloquy 
and  abuse,    which  manifested   that  the  source 
from  which  they  sprang,  was  pride  ;  otherwise 
their  being  withheld  would  not  have  produced 
those  dispositions  of   resentment,   which  were 
generally  manifested.     There  is  reason  to  sup- 
pose, that  about  this  time  he  saw  into  the  incon- 
sistency   of    war   with    the    peaceableness    of 
Christ's  kingdom,  having  declined  several  appli- 
cations to  accept  places  in  tlie  army. 

The  subjects  of  Water  Baptism,  and  the 
Sacrament  (as  it  is  called)  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
also  claimed  his  serious  consideration  ;  the  result 
of  which  was,  that  they  were  no  longer  neces- 
sary appendages  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  though 
they  might  have  been  used  for  a  season,  in  con- 
descension  to   the   weakness  of  the  early  be- 


24 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


05 


lievers,   many  of  whom  being  of  the  Jewish 
nation,   were   nmch   attached   to   those  things 
which  were  connected  with  their  legal  ceremo- 
nies.  The  mind  of  this  enlightened  man  however 
saw  them  to  be  like   those  carnal  ordinances, 
which  were  imposed  only  for  a  season,  and  he 
not  only  laid  aside  the  nse  of  them,  but  endea- 
voured to  draw  the  minds  of  his  hearers  to  that 
inward  and  invisible  grace,  of  which  the  latter 
IS  declared  by  its  very  advocates,  to  be  only  a 
sign;  and,  Mhilst  incapable  of  communicating 
the  substance  of  true  religion,  these  ceremonies 
are  often  a  means  of  inducing  those  who  use 
them,  to  rest  in   the  shadow.     The  disuse  of 
them  therefore  appeared  to  him  most  consistent 
with  the  spirituality  of  the  gospel  dispensation. 

Whilst  in  this  preparatory  state  of  mind  for 
the  religious  services  to  which  he  was  called,  he 
also  saw  how  superficially  many  professors  read 
the    Holy    Scriptures,  without   applying   them 
properly  to  their  own  states,  and  to  that  glorious 
dispensation  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  which  they 
prefigure,  foretell,  and  describe.    The  necessity 
of  inward  holiness,  and  that  state  of  perfection, 
which  the  scriptures  point  out,  was  also  forcibly 
impressed  on  his  mind;  and  as  a  peculiar  part  of 
his  mission,  he  was  particularly  favoured  to  see 
how  every  man  was  enlightened   by  the  divine 


light  of  Christ.  This  was  indeed  like  the  lead- 
ing feature  of  his  ministry;  and,  with  the  Apostle 
John,  he  could  bear  this  testimony :  "  If  we  walk 
in  the  light  as  God  is  in  tlie  light,  we  have  fel- 
lowship one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ  his  Son,  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.'* 

The  following  expressions  are  extracted  from 
the  account  which  he  gives  of  tlie  mission  which 
he  received.     "  I  was  sent  to  turn  people  from 
darkness  to   the   light,   that   they  might   receive 
Christ  Jesus.   I  was  to  direct  people  to  the  Spirit 
that  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  by  which  they  might 
be  led  into  all  truth,  and  up  to  Christ  and  God, 
as  those'  had  been  who  gave  them  forth.     I  was 
to  turn  tliem  to  the  grace  of  God,   and  to  tlie 
truth  in  the  heart,  which  came  by  Jesus.     I  sa\T 
Christ  died  for  all  men,  was  a  propitiation  for  all, 
and  enlightened  all  men  and  women  with  his  di- 
vine and  saving  light.     I  saw  that  the  grace  of 
God,  which  brings  salvation,  had  appeared  to  a)I 
men,  and  that  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  was 
<riven  to  every  man  to  profit  withal.  These  things 
I  did  not  see  by  the  help  of  man,  nor  by  the  let* 
ter,  though  they  are  written  in  the  letter;  but 
I  saw  them  in  the  light  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  by  his. immediate  Spirit  and  power,  as  did  the 
holy  men  of  God,  by  whom  the  Holy  Scriptures 
w  ere  written :  yet  I  had  no  slight  esteem  for  the 

c 


m 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


^7 


Holy  Scriptures  ;  they  were  very  precious  to  me, 
for  I  was  in  that  Spirit  in  which  they  were  given 
forth ;  and  what  the  Lord  opened  in  me,  I  after- 
wards found  was  agreeable  to  them.  I  could 
speak  much  of  these  things;  but  all  would  prove- 
too  short  to  set  forth  the  infinite  love,  wisdom, 
and  power  of  God,  in  preparing  me  for  the  ser- 
vice he  had  appointed  me  to ;  letting  me  see  the 
depth  of  Satan  on  the  one  hand,  and  opening  to 
me,  on  the  other  hand,  the  divine  mysteries  of  his 
own  everlasting  kinsjdom." 

Again:  "  AVTien  the  Lord  God,  and  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  sent  me  into  the  world  to  preach 
the  everlasting  gospel,  I  was  glad  that  I  was  com- 
manded to  turn  people  to  that  inward  light,  Spirit, 
and  grace,  by  which  all  might  know  their  salva- 
tion and  their  way  to  God,  I  was  to  bring  people 
off  from  their  old  ways  to  Christ,  the  new  and  liv- 
ing way ;  from  their  churches  which  men  had 
gathered,  to  the  church  in  God;  and  off  from  the 
world's  teachers  made  by  men  to  Christ,  who  is 
the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life ;  and  off  from  all 
the  world's  worships,  to  know  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  that  in  it  they  might  worship  the  Father  of 
spirits,  who  seeks  such  to  worship  him.  I  was 
to  bring  them  off  from  all  the  world's  fellowships, 
prayings  and  singings  which  stood  in  form  witliout 
power,  that  their  fellowship  might  be  in  the  Holy 
Ohost ;   that  they  might  pray  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 


sm"  in  the  Spirit  and  with  U.e  grace  that  comes 
bv!(esus,  making  melody  in  their  hearts  to  the 
Lord.    I  was  to  bring  people  oflF  from  Jewish 
ceremonies,  from  heathenish  fables,  from  men's 
inventions  and  windy  doctrines,  and  from  all  their 
bea^arly  rudiments,  with  their  schools  and  colleges 
for  making  ministers  of  Christ;  and  from  all  their 
i„,aaes  and  crosses,  and  sprinkling  of  inlanls,  w.Ui 
their  holy  days,  (so  called)  with  all  their  vain  ti-a- 
ditions,  which  had  got  up  since  the  apostles  days, 
and  which  the  Lord's  power  was  agamst ;  m  the 
dread  and  authority  of  which  I  was  moved  to  de- 
clare against  them  all,  and  against  all  that  preached 
and  not  freely,  as  such  who  had  not  received  freely 
from  Christ." 

From  the  views  which  he  entertained  respecting 
divine  worship  and  gospel  ministry,  it  became  a 
Tiecessary  consequence  that  the  religious  meetmgs 
of  the  new  society,  would  be  frequently  held  either 
wholly  or  partly  in  silence.    A  stale  of  inward  re- 
tiremeut  and  waiting  upon  God,  appeared  to  hun 
essential  both  for  the  performance  of  true  worship, 
and  for  the  exercise  of  gospel  ministry ;  and  worship 
being  a  communication  between  the  spiritual  part 
of  mm  and  that  Divine  Being,  who,  we  are  told,  is 
a  Spirit,  the  vocal  use  of  words  was  not  considered 
necessary,  for  the  performance  of  this  important 
dutv,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  our  blessed  Re- 
deemer: God  is  a  Spirit;  and  they  that  worship 
him,  must  worship  him  in  Spirit  and  in  Tiuth, 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


og 


CHAP.  II. 

1^49  io  16 5 1 -^  Man  1/  convinced  by  his  J^Iinistrt/^ 
Preaches  in  Places  of  Public  fForship-^  Imprisoned  at 
Nottingham,  but  soon  rckased-^Long  Imprisonment  at 
Berbt/^Many  remarkable  Circumstances  occur  there, 

Jb  ROM  the  foregoing  description  of  George 
Fox's  mission,  it  may  reasonably  be  expected  that 
much  hostility  would  be  excited  against  him,  par- 
ticularly  by  those  with  whose  worldly  interests  his 
doctrine  interfered.     Indeed  not  only  the  Priests, 
but  Magistrates  and  others  manifested  great  op- 
position to  those  practices  and  doctrines  which  he 
inculcated.     Great  were  the  sufferings  which  he 
and  his  friends  underwent;  but  although  this  was 
the  case,  yet  many  were  made  sensible  of  the  rec- 
titude of  their  testimony,  and  considerable  addi- 
tions were  made  to  the  number  of  those  who,  being, 
convinced  of  the  truths  preached,  were  willing  to 
make  public  profession  of  them,  notwithstanding 
the  reproach  and  sufferings  which  they  induced. 

Besides  the  doctrines  which  he  publickly  taught, 
he  was  much  engaged  in  private  admonition  to 
people  in  different  stations  of  life,  to  promote  the 
discharge  of  their  respective  duties.  Judges  of  the 
law,  justices  of  the  peace  and  other  magistrates; 
J^arents  of  children^  masters  of  servants,  and  school- 


masters,  were  all  the  subjects  of  his  concern  and 
labour  of  love;  nor  did  those  in  the  inferior  de- 
partments of  life  escape  his  notice,  for  the  promo- 
tion of  their  best  interests.     He  also  publickly 
testified  against  wakes,  feasts,  maygames,  sports, 
plays,  music  and  the  public  exhibitions  of  mounte- 
banks;  considering  these  diversions  as  being  cal- 
culated to  destroy  that  religion  and  virtue  v^hlch 
are  essential  to  the  true  happiness  of  man,  both 
here  and  hereafter.     In  fairs  and  markets  he  wa* 
also  led  to  warn  the  people  against  fraud  and  de- 
ceit; exhorting  them  to  deal  justly,  to  speak  the 
truth,  and  to  do  to  others  as  they  would  have 
others  do  to  them.   Thus,  in  his  labours,  he  united 
a  coucecn  both  for  religious  and  moral  priticiple, 
which  he  seems  to  have  carried  with  bun  UirougU 
life. 

The  nature  of  his  religious  exercise  sometime* 
led  him  to  attend  the  places  of  public  worship, 
against  a  superstitious  reverence  for  which,  and 
the  conduct  of  those  who  ministered  in  them,  his 
zeal  was  very  strong;  and  once,  at  Mottingham, 
led  him  to  interrupt  a  Priest  whilst  preaching,  con- 
ceiving him  to  be  perverting  a  text  of  scripture. 
But  though  his  mind  was^  frequently  drawn  to  em- 
brace tliese  opportmiities  of  publishing  his  dqc-- 
trines,  his  general  practice  was  to  wait  till  the 
public  service  was  over,  and  then  endeavour  to  19- 

c  a  .       . 


so 


tIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


II 


it 


lieve  his  mind.  In  those  times  this  appears  to 
have  been  not  an  uncommon  practice,  and  I  have 
aeen  it  mentioned  as  such  in  some  history.  The 
consequence  of  his  zeal  at  Nottingham,  was,  that 
he  was  seized  and  put  into  a  filthy  prison.  This, 
however,  proved  the  means  of  spreading  his  prin- 
ciples, and  one  of  the  sheriffs  of  Nottingham,. 
John  Reckles,  with  his  wife,  were  convinced  by 
the  discourse  which  they  had  with  George  Fox; 
and  several  Priests  also  confessed  to  the  power  of 
the  Lord  which  accompanied  his  ministry.  At 
Nottingham  he  was  committed  to  prison,  where  it 
appears  he  continued  for  a  few  months  ;  and 
having  liberty,  at  times,  to  go  into  the  town,  he 
employed  it  in  promulgating  those  doctrines  which 
Jie  apprehended  himself  called  to  preach. 

After  his  liberation,  he  came  to  Mansfield- 
Woodhouse,  where,  in  consequence  of  exhorting 
the  priest  and  people  in  their  place  of  worship,  he 
was  seized  and  put  into  the  stocks  for  several 
hours;  but  being  afterwards  taken  before  some 
magistrates,  he  was,  after  much  threatening,  set  at 
liberty,  llie  rude  people  stoned  him  out  of  the 
town,  by  which  he  was  much  injured,  but  eooa 
recovered  the  effects  of  his  blows  and  wounds. 
Notwithstanding  this  treatment,  the  cause  wliich 
he  had  espoused  gained  ground,  and  that  day  se- 
▼eral  "  were  convinced  of  the  Lord's  truth,  and 
turned  to  jiis  teaching." 


UFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


31 


From  Mansfield  he  came  through  Leicestershire 
to  Coventry,  in  order  to  visit  some  persons  who, 
he  had  heard,  were  imprisoned  there  on  account  of 
teligion.  He  did  not  find  them  such  as^he  ex- 
pected; but  as  he  was  walking  to  the  jail,  his  soul 
was  inwardly  saluted  with  the  following  words : 
«  My  love  was  always  to  thee,  and  thou  art  in  my 
love."  On  this  he  remarks,  «  I  was  ravished  with 
the  sense  of  the  love  of  God,  and  greatly  strength- 
ened in  my  inward  man.' 

Travelling  by  Atherstone,  Market -Bosworth, 
Twycross,  Chesterfield,  and  Kidsey-Park,  and  meet- 
ing with  much  rude  treatment,  he  came  to  Derby 
about  the  year  1650.     Here  he  was  engaged  to 
preach  to  the  people  after  the  usual  service  was 
finished;  many  of  the  army  and  clergy  being  pre- 
sent. Whilst  preaching,  he  did  not  meet  with  much 
interruption;  but  was  afterwards  taken,  with  two 
of  his  friends,  before  the  magistrates,  and  under- 
went an  examination  of  about  eight  hours.  Among 
other  questions  they  asked  him  if  any  of  them 
were  Christ?  To  which  George  Fox  answered, 
"  Nay,  we  are  nothing,  Christ  is  all."     It  is  pro- 
per to  be  the  more  particular  in  mentioning  this 
question,  with  the  answer,  because  it  has  frequently 
been  alleged  against  George  Fox,  and  some  of  our 
antient  friends,  that  they  assumed  the  character 
of  Christ,  of  which  tl^s  is  a  complete  confutation. 
The  charge  was  often  repeated  afterwards,  and  as 
often  denied. 


s^ 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


After  having  wearied  themselves  with  this  tedious 
examination,  the  Magistrates  committed  George 
Fox  and  one  of  those  who  were  with  him,  to  the 
Houseof  Correction  for  six  months,  as  blasphemers ; 
with  what  reason  it  is  difficult  to  conceive;  but, 
at  this  tnne,  party  spirit  was  extremely  violent, 
both   in  religion  and  politics.     The  kingly  Go- 
vernment had  been  lately  abolished,  by  the  execu- 
tion of  Charles  the  First,  and  the  Commonwealth, 
instead  of  affording  an  increase  of  religious  tolera- 
tion, at  least  equalled  their  predecessors  in  violence 
and  persecution.    Though  they  might  be  sincere  in 
the  professions  which  they  had  made,  yet  their  pas- 
sions had  become  so  inflamed  with  a  spirit  of  ani- 
mosity, probably  heightened  by  their  success  over 
the  opposite  party,  that  they  lost  all  appearance 
of  consistency,  and  liberty  of  conscience  was  re- 
strained as  much  at  least,  as  it  had  been  in  those 
times  of  which  they  complained.     In  forming  ait 
estimate   of  character  at  this  period,  all  parties 
should  make  considerable  allowances  for  the  tem^ 
per  of  the  times ;  and  although  George  Fox  and 
his  friends  were  so  far  from  persecution,  that  they 
•would  very  rarely  take  advantage  of  the  law,  by 
prosecutmg  their  enemies  for  their  cruel  and  illegal 
conduct,  yet  perhaps  it  would  be  too  much  to  say 
that  their  zeal  never  exceeded  its  proper  bounds. 

He    continued  in   the   House   of    Correction 
at  Derby,    for  six  months,    after   ^hich    tinre 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


S3 


!,e  was  nearly  six  months  longer  in  the  County 
Jail      During  this  time,  several  incidents  occurred 
which  are  worthy  of  notice.     The  keeper,  of  the 
prison  was,  at  first,  greatly  enraged  agamst  h,m,  and 
spoke  wickedly  of  him;  but  he  soon  became  much 
troubled  for  his  conduct,  and  George  overheard 
him  saying  to  his  wife,  "  I  have  seen  the  day  of 
judgment,  and  I  saw  George  there,  and  I  was 
afraid  of  him,  because  I  have  done  him  so  much 
wrong,   and  have  spoken  so  much  agamst  him 
to   the    Ministers    and    Professors,    and   to   the 
Justices,  and  in  taverns  and  alehouses."     After 
this,  he  came  into  George  s  chamber,  and  said  to 
him  «  I  bave  been  as  a  lion  against  you  ;  but  now 
1  come  like  a  lamb,  and  like  the  gaoler  that  can.e 
to  Paul  and  Silas  trembling."     He  also  acknow- 
ledged that  he  and  his  house  had  been  plagued  for 
George's  sake;  of  which  he  next  day  informed  the 
Justices,  one  of  whom  .aid  that  the  plagues  were 
upon  them  too.   A  sister  also  of  the  gaoler  went  to 
vi4t  George.    To  her  he  communicated  some  re- 
ligious  advice,  which  had  a  good  effect  on  her 
„,-nd,  and  she  said  respecting  him  and  his   riend*, 
that  "  they  were   an  innocent  people,    who  did 
,,one  any  hurt,  but  did  good  to  all,  even  to  those 
that  hated  them." 

These  circumstances  produced  some  lenity  in 
the  minds  of  the  Justices,  who  gave  leave  for  h.m 
to  walk  to  the  distance  of  a  pulej  the  intent  of 


34 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


85 


a 


which  appears  to  have  been,  that  he  might  have 
opportunity  to  escape,  whicli  they  supposed  he 
would  readily  embrace  ;  but  in  this  they  were  mis- 
taken, his  upright  principle  not  permitting  him  to 
accept  his  liberty  in  this  way. 

Whilst  he  was  confined  in  the  House  of  Correct 
tion,his  relations  came  to  visit  him,  and  offered,  with 
others  of  Derby,  to  be  bound  that  he  should  come 
there  no  more  to  declare  against  the  priests ;  but  to 
this  he  could  not  consent,  not  only  because  the  con- 
dition was  such  as  he  could  not  agree  to,  but  because 
he  was  innocent  of  any  improper  conduct  which 
required  a  bond  for  his  future  behaviour.     Thisr 
greatly  enraged  Justice  Bennett,    whose    violent 
conduct  induced  George  to  pray  for  forgiveness 
for  him.     Whilst  he  was  on  his  knees,  Bennett 
ran  violently  upon  him,  and  struck  him  with  both 
his  hands,  crying,  ''Away  with  him,  gaoler,  take 
him  away,  gaoler."    He  was  now  brought  back  to 
the  prison,  where  he  continued  the  remainder  of 
the  six  months  ;  but  having  the  liberty  of  walking 
a  mile,  he  sometimes  went  into  the  market  and 
streets,   warning   the    people  to   repent   of  their 
wickedness ;  and  there   being  persons  of  different 
religious  professions  in  the  prison,  he  occasionally 
visited  tliem  in  their  meetings. 

When  the  time  fixed  for  his  imprisonment  was. 
nearly  expired,  strong  attempts  were  made,  to  in- 


duce  him  to  accept  a  Captaincy  in  the  army ;  and 
the  soldiers  even  said  ri.ey  would  have  none  but 
him.    -The  Commissioners  also  offered  him  that 
preferment,  and  even  pressed  it   upon  him,  but 
their  endeavours  v>  ere  in  vuin.  He  told  them  that  be 
knew  whence  all  wars  arose,  even  from  the  lusts, 
according  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Apostle  James : 
and  Uiat  he  lived  in  the  virtue  of  that  life  and 
power,'  which  took  away  the  occasion  of  war. 
\Vheii  they  found  tliat  their  importunities  were  m 
vain,  tlw^y  became  angry,  and  ordered  the  gaoler 
to  take  him  away,  and  put  him  amongst  rogues 
and  felons.    The  prison  in  which  he  was  conhned 
vvas  a  most  noisome  place,  infested  with  falthy 
vermin.  •  There  were  thirty  felons  in  it,  and  not  a 
*in.rle  bed  to  sleep  on.  Here  he  was  confined  near  y 
half  a  year  more,  with  liberty  occasionally  to  walk 
in  the  garden. 

During  his  confinement,  there  was  in  the  jail, 
a  woman  who  was  committed  for  robbing  her 
master.    For  her  George  Fox  interfered  so  far,  as 
to  write  to  the  Judge  and  Jury,  stating  how  con- 
trary it  was  to  the  law  of  God,  in  old  time,  to  put 
people  to  death  for  stealing  ;  and  pressing  Uiem  to 
^how  mercy  to  the  poor  woman.     She  was,  how- 
ever, condemned  to  die,  and  actually  taken  to  the 
place  of  execution.     George  Fox,  not  bemg  able 
.to  be  present,  wrote  a  paper,  which  he  desired  UJ 


36 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


be  read  to  the  people,  warning  them  against 
covetousness,  and  those  vices,  which  lead  to  so 
disgraceful  a  termination  of  life.  The  woman, 
though  on  the  ladder,  with  her  face  covered,  was 
reprieved,  and  brought  back  to  prison  ;  and  such, 
it  seems,  was  the  effect  of  George  Fox's  labours 
for  her  good,  that  she  was  convinced  of  the  truth 
of  the  doctrines  which  he  taught. 

The  subject  of  punishment  by  death,  for  crimen 
affectmg   property   only,   seems   to   have  closely 
engaged  his  attention  whilst  a  prisoner  here ;  and 
he  not  only  wrote  to  the  Judges  on  this  subject, 
but  also  on  the  long  confinement  of  prisoners  be- 
fore they  were  brought  to  trial.     His  capacious 
mind  seems  to  have  embraced  almost  every  subject 
connected  with  the  happiness  of  man ;   and  the 
justness  and  liberality  of  his  views  were  extraordi- 
nary.    Justice  and  mercy  he  often  pressed  closely 
on  those  persons  in  high  stations,  who  had  the  ad- 
ministration of  them ;  and  when  they   deviated 
from  their  duty,  he  frequently  reproved  them,  and 
advised  'them  to  a  different  conduct.     Whilst  in 
prison  at  Derby,  he  addressed  many  short   but 
pertinent  exhortations  and  warnings  to  the  priests 
and  magistrates  who  had  been  the  means  of  his 
imprisonment.    The  wickedness  that  prevailed  in 
the  town  of  Derby  deeply  affected  his  mind,  and 
lie  warned  the   inhabitants  of  the  consequences 
of  their  conduct.     Being  now  deprived   of  th© 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  VOX. 


S7 


oppoituuity   of  travellmg,   he   published  two  or 
three   papers,    to   be   spread   among   his   friends 
and  others,  to  instruct  and  confirm  them  in  tlie 
principles  which  he  was  concerned  to  promulgalo* 
Thus  did  this  diligent  labourer  in  the  gospel  of 
Christ  lose  no  opportunity  of  promoting  the  cause 
of  truth  and  righteousness  on  earth. 

It  was  while  he  was  a  prisoner  at  Derby,  or 
perhaps  at  his  first  examination,  that  the  name  of 
Quakers  was  given  to  him  and  his  friends.— 
He  was  exhorting  Gervas  Bennett,  already  men- 
tioned, and  some  other  persons  who  were  in  com- 
pany, to  tremble  at  the  word  of  the  Lord  ;  on 
^vhich  Bennett  contemptuously  called  the  fiieuds 
of  George  Fox,  Quakers,  by  which  name  they  have 
since  that  time  been  distinguished. 

The  Magistrates  not  being  able  to  accomplish 
any  of  their  objects  by  imprisonment,  and  giowm?r 
uneasy  with  their  conduct  towards  their  prisoner, 
devised  various  means  for  liberaUng  him ;  but  not 
a-reeiug  among  themselves,  they  at  length  turned 
lilm  out  of  jail  in  as  irregular  and  arbitrary  a 
manner  as  ihey  had  detained  him.  This  was  m 
tlie  early  part  of  the  winter  of  1 65 1 . 

About  eleven  years  after  liis  release,  he  received 
the  following  letter  from  the  Keeper  of  the  House   . 
of  Correction,  which,  though  not  in  the  order  of 
time,  may  most  properly  be  introduced  here.     It 
nvamfests  the  beneficial  effects  of  that  patient  suf. 


5S 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX, 


M 


faring  and  faithful  labour,  in  the  cause  of  truth 
and  righteousness,  which  remarkably'  characterised 
the  life  of  this  innocent  man. 

**  Dear  Friend, 

**  Having  such  a  convenient  messenger,  I  could 
do  no  less  than  gire  thee  an  account  of  my  present  con- 
dition; remembcrmg  that  to  the  first  awakening  of  me 
to  a  sense  of  life,  and  of  the  inward  principle^  God  wa^ 
pleased  to  make  use  of  thee  as  an  instrument;  so  that 
sometimes  I  am  taken  with  admiration,  that  it  should 
come  by  such  a  means  as  it  did;  that  is  to  say,  that 
Providence  should  order  thee  to  be  my  prisoner,  to  give 
me  my  first  real  sight  of  the  truth.  It  makes  me  many 
^imes  think  of  the  Jailer's  coversion  by  the  Apostles. 

0  happy  George  Fox !  that  first  breathed  that  breath 
.of  life  within  the  walls  of  my  habitation. 

**  Notwithstanding  my  outward  losses  are,  since  that 
time,  such  that  I  am  btcome  nothing  in  the  world;  yet 

1  hope  I  shall  find,  that  all  these  light  afflictions,  which 
are  but  for  a  moment,  will  work  for  me  a  far  more  and 
«xceeding  weight  of  glory.  They  have  taken  all  from 
me;  and  now,  instead  of  keeping  a  prison,  1  am  rather 
waiting  when  I  shall  become  a  prisoner  myself.  Pray 
for  me  that  my  faith  fail  not;  but  that  I  may  hold  out 
fo  the  death,  that  I  may  receive  a  crown  of  life. 

**  I  earnestly  desire  to  hear  from  thee,  and  of  thy 
condition,  which  would  very  much  rejoice  me.  Not 
having  else  at  present,  but  my  kind  love  to  thee,  and 
all  Christian  Friends  with  thee,  in  haste,  I  rest 

Thine  in  Christ  Jesus, 

THOMAS  SHARMAX,^ 
**  Derby,  ^U  of  the  m  mnth,  1 66 .'." 


CHAP,  in* 

,651  and  l652.-E^traordinar!,  concern  at  UchficU. 

TrLu  aro.ik  NoUi,,,ka.M,e  into  Yo,hUn, .,«. 

V)hcrt  then  are  great  crnvmcments. 

After  George  Fax  wa,  liberated  from  hU 
eoSnement  at  Derby,  betmelled  agam  in  h.s  re- 
[Jls  en<.a.-ement..  At  Litchfield  he  was  con- 
SZ  o  go\vi.ho„t  his  shoes  through  the  street, 
of  tl  ci-,  and  to  cry,  "  Wo  to  the  bloody 
eity  of  Litchfield."  So  strong  Nvas  an  impression 
of  some  extraordinary  circumstance  upon  his  mmd 

Aat  as  he  passed  along,  ^'>-  "PP'^^^'^  °  '  ^e 
channelof  blood  running  down  the  streets  and  rt« 
„.arket  place   was  like  a  pool  of  blood.    After 

Te  ca^e^f  his  concern,  not  knowing  of  any  cr- 

eumstance  which  should  warrant  so  smgula^  a 

K.it  ViP  afterwards  understood,  that 

S:^i::fi^.P^:^-;« 
rs::::^"-— '4;? 

rField  of  dead  bodies.  Such  was  the  sens.b.h.y 
that  attended  the  mind  of  this  exercised  man  hat 
that  attenae  frequently  affected  h.m 

c  rcumstances  of  this  kina  iren        j    .■...  « 
i„  diffesent  places,  in  the  course  of  his  journies. 

.  The  relation  of  this  singular  concern  at  LitchBeld,  tas 
•  Ihe  reiaiion  o  pumshmeht 

been  censured,  because  it  seems  to  imply  som    p 


40 


LIFE  or  GEORGE  FOX. 


Continuing  his  travels,  he  came  through  Notting- 
hamshire and  Dcrbv. shire  into  Yorkshire,  and 
preached  repentance  tlirough  the  streets  of  Don- 
caster  and  several  other  places.  At  Balbv,  near 
Doncaster,  he  continued  awhile,  and  Richard 
Farnsworth,  with  several  others^  was  convinced 
there.  Afterwards  he  visited  Wakefield,  Sclby, 
and  Beverley.  At  Selb),  he  seems  to  have  i)arted 
uiih  his  horse,  and  travelled  on  foot.  At  Bever- 
ley, he  went  to  the  public  place  of  worship,  and 
after  the  Minister  had  finished  his  sermon,  Georo-e 
was  concerned  to  speak  to  liim  and  the  people,  in 
order  to  turn  them  to  the  true  teacher,  Clirist 
Jesus.  Here  lie  inct  with  no  material  molesta- 
tions, but  passed  quietly  out  of  the  town  and  went 

on  the  inhabitants,  for  a  crime  wliich  had  been  perpetrated 
many  centuries  before,  bj  Heathens  on  Christians.  Bui  I  do 
noi  consider  Uic  word,  Wo,  as  alwajs  conveying  a  denun- 
ciation of  judgment.  On  cxamniuig  llaiiev's  Dictionary,  I 
find,  be  ej|)laiiis  Wo,  by  "grief,  trouble,  sorroiv."  l>r, 
Johnson  gives  tliesarae  signification,  with  otlier  meanings  of 
the  word  J  and  lie  also  notices  it,  as  an  exclamation  of  sor- 
ruiv.  In  tliis  sense,  and  as  relating  to  the  past,  rather  th-in 
the  future,  George  Fox  no  doubt  used  the  expression.  This 
cippears  clear  from  the  contest,  for  he  himself  explains  what 
be  apprehended  was  the  cause  of  bis  Ubing  tlie  words  in 
question,  and  nbich  he  imputes  to  the  circumstance  already 
mentioned.  Tliere  is  nothing  in  his  oivn  account,  which 
conveys  any  apprehension  in  him,  that  some  judgments 
would  fall  upon  the  place,  for  this  massacre;  but  it  sunply 
conveys  th(^  sympathetic  feelings  of  his  lender  mind. 


LIFE  OF  CEOBGE  FOX. 


*l 


to  another  place  of  worship,  where  l.e  met  with  , 
kind  reception,  and  the  people  des.red  htm  to 
come  again,  and  preach  among  them.    IJext  da, 
:  It'to  Captain  Pursloe's,  at  Cransw.ck  who™ 
he  had  also  visited  at  his  house  near  Selby.    He 
terns  very  much  to  have  '--•*  f  ^^j/^^; 
and  accompanied  him  to  several  V^^^ 
neighbourhood.     He  also  mtroduced  h  m  to  Jus 
TceHothatr,,  who  was  a  man  of  rehgtous  expe- 
rience, and  proved  very  friendly  to  George,  ot* 
various  occasions.    Whilst  they  were  at  th.s  house, 
,  woman  of  quality   can.   to  the   Justtce    oa 
business ;  !.nd  i.t  the  course  of  conversation,  told 
him,  that  "the  last  Sabbath  day,  there  was  a., 
angel  or  spirit  came  into  the  church  at  Beverley, 
«,d  spake  the  wonderful  things  of  God,  to  the  asto- 
mshn.ent  of  all  that  were  there  ;  and  when  it  had 
done,  it  passed  away,  and  they  d>d  not  know 
whence  it  came   nor   whither   it  went  ;    but  it 
astonished  all,  priests,  professors,  and  magistrates 
This  the  Justice  related  to  George,  who  tnformed 
him  that  he  had  been  that  day  at  Beverley,  and 
had  preached  to  the  people  there. 

In  the  course  of  his  travels,  he  came  to  York, 
..vhere  he  found  several  persons  seriously  disposed^ 
and  ready  to  receive  his  doctrine.  Whilst  in  this 
city,  he  went  to  the  Cathedral,  on  a  first  day ;  and 
vhen  the  priest  had  finished  his  sermon,  George 
told  tbcm  that  he  had  something  to  communtcafB. 


4^ 


LITE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


The  weather  being  cold,  he  was  desired  to  speak 
(Juickly ;  on  which  he  said,  that  "  this  was  the 
word  of  ihe  Lord  to  them,  that  they  lived  in  ^^•ords, 
but  God  Almighty  looked  for  fruits  amongst  them." 
He  was  not  suffered  to  proceed,  but  was  immedi- 
ately taken  out  of  the  place,  and  thrown  down  the 
steps,  yet  was  not  materially  injured.  After 
finishing  his  service  here,  he  travelled  into  Cleve- 
land. In  his  way  thither,  he  came  to  Borrow  by, 
■where  many  people  were  convinced,  and  a  large 
meeting  was  established.  In  Cleveland,  he  found 
a  people  who  had  tas:ed  of  the  divine  power,  but 
not  waiting  in  patience  and  humility,  though  there 
had  been  large  meetings  of  them,  they  were  nmch 
scattered,  and  the  heads  of  them  turned  Ranters.^ 
JVmongst  these  people  he  was  concerned  to  labour 
for  their  restoration.  Most  of  them  were  con- 
\-inced  of  the  truth  of  his  doctrines,  and  a  Meeliu" 
was  established. 


It  was  now  the  depth  of  winter,  in  the  year 
iGjI,  and  the  snow  was  very  deep  ;  but  such  was 
bis  zeal,  that  he  continued  travelling.  At  Stathes, 
near  Whitby,  he  had  some  large  meetings;  and 


*  The  Ranters  in  the  beginning,  had  the  name  of  Seekers, 
and  were  at  first  a  .serious,  humble-minded  people ;  but  be- 
eoniing  exalted  in  their  imaginations,  they  ran  iuto  many 
eKtravagancies  of  opinion  and  practice,  wliich  caused  them 
to  have  the  name  of  Ranters. 


LtrE  OF  GEOllGE  TOX. 


4S 


many  received  the  truUi ;  amongst  whom  was   a 
man  of  100  years  of  age,  the  chief  constable,  and 
rt  priest  of  the  name  of  Philip  Scaife.     Uere  he 
uas  concerned  to  reprove  the  priest  of  the  parish, 
for  exacting  titiie  money  for  iish  caught  at  a  dis- 
tance, and  carried  to   anoHier  port.     He  had  also 
a  public  dispute  with  a  Scotch   priest,  and  some 
Ranters,  which   afforded  him  an   opportunity  of 
preaching  to  the    people,  and    promulgating   his 
doctrine.     The  Scotch  priest  was  greatly  enraged, 
mid  manifested  a  design  against  the  life  of  George 
Fox.     A  few  years  after>vards,  both  this  priest  and 
his  wife  were  convinced,  and  George  visited  them 
at  their  own  house,  the  next  time  he  came  into 
these  parts,  which  was  in  the  year  ]()63.     Great 
Avas  the  commotion  which  was  excited  among  the 
priests   in    particular;    and  when    they  heard  of 
George  Fox  coming  among  them,  they  would  fre- 
quently go. out   of   the   way,  though  they  might 
before  have  boasted  of  wliat  they  would  do  when 
he  came.     To  use   his  own  expressions,  "They 
xvere  struck  with  the  dread  of  the  eternal  power 
of  God,  and  fear  surprised  tlie  hypocrites." 

He  next  visited  Whitby  and  Scarborough,  where 
large  meetmgs  were  soon  after  settled.  After- 
wards he  came  to  Mallon,  taking  part  of  tlie 
Wolds  on  his  way.  Here,  and  in  the  neighbour- 
hood,  he  continued  some  time,  and  many  joined 
Urn  itt  religious  feliowdup,  ^ome  of  uhom  had 


4^4 


XIFE  OP  GEORGE  FOX. 


LITE    OF    GEOUGE    FOX, 


45 


entertained  considerable  prejudice  against  him^ 
for  the  report  of  him  had  spread  greatly  in  the 
country.  One  woman,  who  was  a  high  professor 
among  the  Iiniependents,  was  so  inveterate,  before 
he  came  there,  that  she  said  she  would  willingly 
go  to  see  him  hanged;  but  after  he  came  she  was 
convinced,  and  continued  a  Friend.  At  Malton 
he  went  into  the  usual  place  of  worship,  where 
the  Priest  was  preaching  to  no  more  than  eleven 
hearers  ;  but  after  it  was  known  that  George  Fox 
•was  gone  there,  the  place  was  soon  tilled.  After 
Ihe  Priest  had  finished,  Greorge  was  invited  into 
the  pulpit,  which  he  thought  proper  to  decline^ 
and  desiring  all  to  be  quiet,  he  stepped  upon  a 
high  seat,  and  there  delivered  what  he  had  to  say^ 
without  any  interruption ;  after  which  he  departed 
in  peace. 

Leaving  Malton,  he  came  to  Pickering  at  the 
time  of  the  Sessions,  Justice  Robinson  beino- 
chairman.  Whilst  the  business  of  the  Sessions  was 
transacting,  George  had  a  meeting  in  die  school- 
house,  to  which  many  priests  and  others  came. 
Four  chief  constables  and  one  priest  were  con- 
vinced. This,  it  is  most  probable,  was  the  priest 
of  Pickering.  He  was  a  great  favourite  with  the 
jiistice,  who  was  soon  informed  of  the  circum- 
stance. The  next  morning  George  went  with  the 
four  chief  constables  and  sqme  others,  to  visit 
Justice  Robinson,  who  received  him  very  kindU> 


and  acknowledged  the  rectitude  of  that  religious 
instiniction    which    George    commmiicated.      At 
'parting,  the  justice  spake  encouni-ingly  t»  him, 
sa)  ingr  "  It  was  very  Nvell  that  he  should  exercise 
the  gift  which  God^had  given  him."     He  also  de^ 
sired  the  constables  to  give  George  some  irioiiey, 
which  he  oft'crtd  to  them  for  that  purpose,   wish- 
ing him  not  to  be  at  any  expense  in  their  country ; 
but  they  told  him  that  they  could  not  prevail  on 
George  to  accept  any  money  from  them,  which 
they  had  already  offered.     Yet  though  he  declined 
accepting  the  money;  he  gratefully  acknowledged 
the  justice's  kindness. 

Great  was  the  openness  with  which  he  was  re- 
ceived in  these  parts.    At  one  place  the  l>clls  were 
rin-ing  when  he  came  to  it,  of  which  he,  inquirmg 
the'cause,  was  told,  that  it  was  for  him  to  preach. 
After  some  dehberatiou,  he  concluded  to  go  to  the 
steeple-house,  and  was  invited  in ;  but  seeing  the 
people  gathered  m  the  yard,  he  preferred  preachmg 
to  them  there.     All  was  quiet,"  and  a  great  con- 
vincement  took  place.     At  another  town  m  the 
neighbourhood,   he   sat    some   hours    in    silence 
betbre   he  begun  to  preach ;  and  such   was  the 
power  which   afterwards    attended   his   ministry, 
that   the    people   were    generally    reached,    and 
brought  to  acknowledge  the  truth  of  his  doctrine. 
An  ancient  priest,  who  was  among  those  who  had 
been  convinced  by  George  Fox's  ministry,  accom- 


46 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


tIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


47 


A 


panied  him  awhile,  and  as  they  were  passing  along 
the  road,  some  people  called  out,  "  Mr.  Boyes, 
we  owe  you  some  money  for  tithes,  pray  come  and 
take  it  ;*'  but  he  threw  up  his  hands  and  said,  he 
had  enough,  they  might  keep  it,  and  be  praised 
the  Lord  that  he  had  enough. 

After  travelling  some  time,  be  came  again  to 
Captain  Pursloe's,  and  Justice  Hotham's,  where 
he  met  with  a  kind  reception  ;  and  they  expressed 
.their  satisfaction  with  the  success  of  his  gospel 
labours.  The  Justice  said  to  him,  that  if  God 
had  not  raised  up  that  principle  of  light  and  life, 
which  he  preached,  the  nation  would  have  been' 
overrun  with  Kanterism;  with  more  to  the  same 
purpose. 

He  now  went  into  Holderness,  having  meeting* 
at  several  places  till  he  came  to  Patrington.  Here 
he  preached  to  the  priest  and  people  in  the  street ; 
and  when  it  grew  dark,  he  went  to  an  inn,  where 
he  Nvas  refused  both  meat  and  lodging ;  which  was 
also  the  case  at  two  other  houses.  Upon  this  he 
took  a  little  water  at  a  ditch,  and  sat  down  among 
the  furze  bushes  till  it  was  day.  When  he  de- 
parted from  this  place  the  next  morning,  he  was 
followed  by  a  man  with  a  pikestaff,  to  a  neigh- 
bouring town,  and  this  man  raised  the  constables 
and  inhabitants,  to  whom,  however,  George  de« 
clared  the  truth,  and  exhorted  them  to  repentance ; 


but  they  seized  him,  and  took  him  back  to  Pa* 
trington.     Here  one  of  the  inhabitants  gave  him 
some  milk  and  bread,  which  would  no  doubt  be 
very  grateful,  he  having  eaten  nothing  for  some 
davs  before.    After  this,  he  was  token  to  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  who  having  examined  him,  soon  set 
him  at  liberty,  and  he    returned  to    Patrington, 
where  he  had  further  religious  service,  without  any 
molestation.     Many  were  convinced  of  the  truth, 
and  continued  faithful  witnesses  of  it.    After  going 
to  the  extremity  of  Holderness,  and  having  meet- 
ings at  several  places,  with  his  usual  success,  he 
Teturned  again  to  Patrington,  when  some  who  had 
been  the  means  of  his  being  brought  before  the 
Justice,  came  and  asked  forgiveness,  which  George 
freely  gave,  at  the  same  time  warning  them  to 
amend  their  lives.    Justice  Hotham  had  already 
interfered  in  his  favour,  and  asked  him  whether 
any  had  abused  him ;  but  says  George,  "  I  was  not 
to  tell  him  any  thmg  of  that  kind,  but  was  to  for- 
«rive  all."    Tliis  performance  of  the  duty  of  for- 
giveness, OB  all  occasions,  forms  an  excellent  trait 
in  the  character  of  George  Fox,  and  shewed  that 
he  had  learned  in  the  school  of  him,  who,  when 
suffering  on  the  jcross,  prayed  for  his  persecutors, 
Fatl^er  forgive  them,  they  know  not  what  they  do." 


jt( 


After  travelling  some  time  in  Holderness,  and 
meeting  with  variety  of  reception,  he  came  to  Hull, 
M'here  he  obtained  a  comfortable  lodging,  which 


48 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


of  late  had  seldom  been  afforded  him.     He  found 
himsell'  much  fatigued  with  travelling  on  foot,  and 
with   the  exercises  of  body  and  mind,   through, 
which  he  passed.   At  Hull,  he  seems  to  have  tarried 
but  a  short  time ; )  et  whilst  there  he  admonished  the 
people  to   turn  to   Christ  Jesus,  that  they  mi^ht 
receive  salvation.     He  left  Hull,  and  proceeded 
towards  Balbv,  near  Doncaster,  and  thence  through 
part  of   Nottinghamshire  into  Lincolnshire.     At 
Gainsborough  he  found  one  of  his  friends  had  been 
preaching  in  the  market,  which  had  occasioned  con- 
siderable disturbance.    A  man  came  to  this  place, 
who  had  before  accused  George  Fox  of  saying  that 
he  was  Christ;  and  repeating  the  same  false  accu- 
sation here,  the  people  were   with   difficulty  re- 
strained  from   laying  violent  hands  on   George; 
but  he,  standing  up,  denied  the  charge,  telling  the 
people  "  that  Christ  w  as  in  them,  except  they  were 
reprobates;  and  that  it  was  Christ  who  spoke  in 
him,  and  not   that  he  was  Christ."     AVith  this  ex- 
planation the  people  w  ere  satisfied  ;  and  the  man 
who  raised  this   false  accusation,  some  time  after 
put  an  end  to  his  own  life.     Notwithstanding  much 
opposition,  many  persons  were  effectually  reached 
bv   George   Fox's    ministry,    in   these    parts,  and 
**  were  gathered  to  the  Lord's  heavenly  teaching.*  . 


He  returned  again  into  Yorkshire,  and  at 
Warms  worth  was  very  rudely  treated  in  the  public 
worship  house ;  after  which  the  people  beat  him 


CIFE    OF  GEORGE   FOX. 


4D 


with  staves,  and  threw  earth  and  stones  at  him ; 
the  priest  himself  laymg  violent  hands  upon  him. 
He  returned  their  cruel  treatment,  with  an  exhor- 
tation to  them  to  repent,  and  turn  to  Christ.     At 
Doncaster  and  Tickhill,  he  met  with  similar  treat- 
ment, for  which  be  returned  similar  exhortations. 
At  the  latter  place,  the  clerk  struck  his  face  with 
the  bible,  which  caused  it  to  bleed  much ;  and  the 
priest  reviled  him,  and  those  who  were  with  him, 
calling   them   Quakers  ;     but   afterwards,   while 
George  was  preaching,  the  priest  was  so  much 
affected,  that  he  began  to  tremble;   which  pro- 
duceil  this  remark  from  a  person  present:  "  Look 
how  the  Priest  trembles  and  shakes,  he  is  turned  a 
Quaker   also."      Some   Justices   hearing   of  the 
violent  conduct  of  the  people,  met  to  examine 
into   the   business,  and   the  clerk  was  afraid  of 
having  his  hand  cut  off,  for  striking  in  the  church ; 
but  George  Fox,  as  usual,  forgave  him,  and  would 
not  appear  against  him," 

About  this  time,  (1655)  a  great  opposition  was 
raised  in  the  West  of  Yorkshire,  against  George 
JFox  and  his  friends ;  and  a  warrant  was  issued 
against  him  and  Thomas  Aldam,  of  Warmsworth ; 
but  it  was  executed  only  on  the  latter,  who  w  as 
sent  to  York  Castle  :  and  George  travelled  to- 
wards Wakefield,  near  which  place  lived  James 
I^  ay  lor,  who  had  been  at  a  meeting  with  George, 
before  he  came  there,  and  was  c^Bvinced,    Tra- 


50 


LIFE  OF  geouge  fox. 


veiling  on,  and  preaching  at  various  places  where 
he  came,  he  passed  by  High  Town,  Bradford,  &c* 
to  Wensleydale.  At  the  market  town,  (Askrigg,  I 
suppose)  there  was  a  public  lecture  on  the  market 
day,  which  he  attended ;  and  after  the  priest  had 
finished,  George  had  an  opportunity  of  relieving 
his  mind  to  the  people,  without  any  or  much  in- 
terruption. He  travelled  in  the  Dales  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  and  came  to  the  neighbourhood  of 
Sedbergh,  where,  at  Justice  Benson's,  he  attended 
a  meeting  of  a  people  who  were  separated  from 
the  public  worship,  and  of  whom  he  had  had  a 
vision  some  time  before,  as  of  a  great  people  in 
white  raiment.  The  meeting  was  very  large,  and 
the  people  generally  convinced  through  his  mi- 
nistry. He  had  several  other  meetings  in  this 
neighbourhood,  where  also  many  were  convinced, 
and  joined  him  in  religious  fellowship.  Among 
diem  was  a  Captain  Ward,  of  whom  he  says,  that 
he  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  and  lived 
and  died  in  it. 


CHAP.  IV. 

lC52^Fisits  several  placesinJresfmorehml  and  Lanmhire. 
His  first  lisifs  at  Judge  Fell's,  Swartkmore  Hall.  Is 
cnteUy  treated  at  the  Isle  of  Walne^.  Predict  the  Da- 
9oiation  (if  the  Long  Parliammt^ 

From  Yorkshire,  George  Fox  went  to  Fir- 
bank  Chapel,  in  Westmoreland:  near  which,  on  a 
first  day  afternoon,  he  had  a  large  meeting.    Above 
1000  people   were  supposed   to  be   present,  to 
whom  he  preached  about  three  hours,  opening  to 
tliem  the  types  and  shadows  of  the  law,  and  the 
predictioMs  of  the  prophets,  and  directing  them  to 
Christ  the  substance;  many  of  whose  parables  and 
sayings,  with  the  writings  of  the  Apostles,  he  also 
explained.     The  Lord's  power  accompanying  his 
miuistrv,  it  reached  the  hearts  of  the  people,  many 
of  whom  were  convinced,  including  all  the  teach- 
ers of  that  congregation,  who  it  seems  were  Inde- 
pendents.    Among  them  were  Francis  HowgiU, 
and  John  Audland.     Witli  the  latter  George  Fox  ' 
went  home ;   and  the  next  day  he  held  another 
large  meeting  at  Preston  -  Patrick  Chapel,  from 
which  place  he  went  to  Kendal.     Here  a  meetnig 
was   appointed  in  the  Town  Hall,  in  which  hi^ 
ministry  was  attended  with  the  usual  success..   At 
Underbarrow,  and  at  Crook,  many,  to  use  his  owft 
words,   "  were  convinced,  received  tlie  word  of 

E  % 


V 


59, 


LIFE   OF   GE0B6E   FOX. 


life,  and  stood  fast  in  it,  under  the  teaching  of 
Christ  Jesus."  Among  these,  it  appears,  wa» 
Edward  Burrough,  with  whom  George  had  much 
Teasoning,  previously  to  the  meeting. 


Leaving  Westmoreland,  he  came  to  Newtow  in 
Cartmel,  which  is  in  Lancashire.  Here  be  met  with 
some  rude  treatment,  in  attempting  to  preach  after 
the  priest  had  finished;  but  John  Brathwaite,ayoung 
man  who  was  taking  down  the  priest's  sermon,  was 
efFectuallj  reached,  and  became  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  Many,  in  this  part  of  the  country,  received 
the  truth,  and  abode  in  it.  Soon  after  this,  he 
came  to  Ulverstone,  and  went  to  Swarthmore, 
about  a  mile  distant,  to  Judge  Fell's.  This  place 
is  memorable  for  many  circumstances  which  will 
be  detailed  in  his  future  history.  Here  he  met 
with  a  priest  of  the  name  of  Lampit,  high,  it 
seems,  in  notion,  but  dark  in  understanding.  With 
him  George  had  much  controversy  at  Swarth- 
more. At  one  part  of  the  dispute,  Margaret  Fell 
(the  Judge's  wife)  was  present,  and  her  eyes  were 
opei>ed,  to  see  beyond  the  priest  and  his  doctrine, 
so  that  she  and  her  family  were  in  some  degree  con- 
vinced. The  Judge,  at  this  time,  w^as  from  home, 
m\  die  Welch  circuit.  A  day  being  appointed  for 
a  public  humiliation,  George  Fox  found  his  mind 
engaged  to  attend  the  place  of  public  worship  at 
Ulverstone.  AVhen  he  entered  the  house,  Lampit, 
the   priest,  ^as  sineing  with  the  people,   which 


LIFE  PF  GEORGE  FOX. 


i^ 


George  considered  so  unsuitable  to  their  states, 
that  he  spake  to  the  priest  and  people  what  he 
felt  on  his  mind.  A  Justice  present  called  to 
have  him  taken  away,  but  Margaret  Fell  inter- 
fered in  his  favour,  and  he  was  permitted  to  speak 
awhile  longer;  but  being  afterwards  taken  out^  he 
finished  his  communication  in  the  grave  yard. 

He  continued  a  considerable  time  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Swarthmore,  frequently  returning  to 
that  place  as  his  head  quarters.     At  Ramside  he 
met  with  lliomas  Lawson,  a  priest  of  considerable 
eminence.    He  kindly  offered  Geo.  Fox  his  chapeU 
and  having  informed  the  people  in  the  morning  that 
George  was  coming  there  in  the  afternoon,  the  priest 
did  not  attempt  to  preach  himself.     It  appears  to 
have  been  u  memorable  meeting.     Many  received 
the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  among  whom  Thomas 
Lawson  was  one  ;  who  thereupon  ceased  to  preach 
for  hire,  and  afterwards  preached  the  Lord  Jesus 
and  his  kingdom  freely.     After  this,  George  went 
to  Dalton,  and  to  the  island  of  Walney,  where, 
among  others,  James  Lancaster  was  convinced ;  as 
was  Leonard  Fell  at  Becliff.     He  next  went  to 
Gleaston,  where  he  had  a'quiet  peaceable  meeting 
in  a  new  chapel,  that  had  not  before  been  used. 
Here  again  many  were  convinced  by  his  ministry. 

Returning  again  to  Swarthmore,  several  of  the 
family  were  fully  convinced  of  the  truth  of  hA 

E  3 


54 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOK. 


55 


doctrines.  Leaving  them  for  a  short  time,  he 
"went  again  into  Westmoreland,  and  to  the  borders 
of  Yorkshire,  where  he  had  large  meetings  among 
those  who  had  already  received  his  ministry;  but 
being  informed  of  the  return  of  Judge  Fell  to  his 
own  house,  he  felt  inclined  to  go  again  to  Swarth- 
more.  llie  Priests  and  others  had  endeavoured  to 
incense  the  Judge  against  him;  but  when  George 
came,  he  explained  matters  so  much  to  the  Judge's 
satisfaction,  and  so  fully  answered  all  his  objec- 
tions, that  he  became  fully  satisfied  of  the  recti- 
tude of  George  Fox*s  ministry ;,  and,  after  some 
time,  he  dfeclined  going  to  hear  the  Priests,  though 
he  did  not  fully  join  in  religious  fellowship  with 
Friends.  His  house,  however,  was  always  open 
for  their  reception,  and  he  frequently  used  his  in- 
fluence to  check  ^he  persecuting  spirit^  which  was 
manifested  by  some  Magistrates  and  Priests  in 
those  parts.  To  his  wife  and  four  daughters,  who, 
being  fully  convinced,  had  joined  in  society  with 
George  Fox  and  his  friends,  the  Judge  allowed 
full  liberty  to  act  consistently  with  the  principles 
^hich  they  had  imbibed;  and  he  treated  them  with 
great  kindness.  He  even  permitted  a  meeting  to 
be  established  at  his  house,  which  continued  to  be 
held  there  nearly  forty  years,  v 

After  the  establishment  of  the  meetina;  at  Swarth- 
more;  George  came  again  to  Uuu«rbuirow^  and 


went  thence   to  Kellett,   where  he  had  a  large* 
meeting   at  Robert  Widders's,   to  which  several 
came  from  Lancaster,  and  some  from  York;  and 
many  were  again  convinced.     Coming  to  Lancas- 
ter on  the  market-day,  he  embraced  that  oppor- 
tunity of  preaching  to  the  people.     "  I  preached 
(he  says)  righteousness  and  truth  unto  them,  which 
all  should  follow  after,  walk  and  live  in ;  directing 
them  how  and  where  they  might  find  the  Spirit  of 
God  to  guide  them  thereinto.''     At  Lancaster  he 
had  several  religious  opportunities,  and  many  re- 
ceived his  testimony,  and  continued  faithful  to  the 
truth,   though  he  met  with  some  rude  treatment 
in  this  town.     At  a  place  m  this  neighbourhood, 
a  Doctor  was  so  irritated  against  him,  as  to  say 
that  he  "  could  find  m  his  heart  to  run  him  through 
with  his  rapier,  though  he  was  to  be  hanged  for  it 
the  next  day."     This  man,  however,  was  so  far 
convinced,   that  he  became  kind  to  Friends.     In 
this  and  many  other  instances,  in  the  life  of  George 
Fox,  we  see  the  fulfilment  of  the  gospel  pro- 
phecy:  '*  The  wolf  also   shall    dwell   with    the 
lamb;  and  the  leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the 
kid;  and  the  calf  and  the  young  lion,  and  the  fat- 
linf'  together  \  and  a  little  child  shall  lead  them.'^ 

Returning  into  Westmoreland,  he  came  again 
to  Kendal  and  UnderbarroW,  and  afterwards  to 
Swarthmore.    Here  and  at  Uiverstone  he  wa» 


5G 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


much  engaged  in  preaching,  and  in  disputationar 
with  the  Priests.  One  of  them,  Thomas  Taylor, 
an  ancient  man,  was  convinced ;  and  the  day  after 
his  convincement,  at  Crosland,  where  he  went  with 
George  Fox,  he  was  engaged  to  preach  publickly 
amongst  the  people,  and,  hke  the  good  Scribe, 
brought  out  of  the  treasury,  things  new  and  old. 
His  brother,  Christopher  Taylor,  likewise  a 
preacher,  was  also  convinced,  and  became  a  Mi- 
nister among  Friends.  Many  were  now  sent  forth 
on  the  same  religious  service,  among  whom  George 
Fox  mentions  John  Audland,  Francis  Howgill^ 
John  Camm,  Edward  Burrough,  Richard  Hub- 
berthorn,  Miles  Hubbersty,  and  Miles  Halhead;^ 
in  consequence  of  whose  labours,  meetings  were 
established  in  various  parts  of  the  nation. 

Whilst  some  of  the  Priests  were  brought  into 
a  right  sense  of  the  nature  of  gospel  ministryv 
others  appeared  much  disturbed  in  their  minds, 
and  endeavoured  to  excite  tlie  magistrates  to  per- 
secution ;  but  though  some  of  George  FoxV 
friends  were  sent  to  prison,  he  still  retained  his- 
liberty,  and  continued  his  gospel  labours  in  these 
parts  with  great  success.  Some  of  the  Priest* 
pretended  to  prophecy,  that  within  a  month  the 
Quakers  would  be  all  scattered  and  come  to» 
nothing ;  but  the  sequel  proved  that  their  predic- 
tions were  dictated  by  their  animosity,  and  not  by 
the  Spirit  of  Trulhr 


IIFE  OF  GtORGE  FOX. 


57 


At  Ulverslone  he  met  with  much  cruel  treat- 
ment at  the  instigation  of  Justice  Sawrey,  who 
seems  to  have  been  the  first  promoter  of  persecu- 
tion in  the  North.     George  was  preaching  to  the 
people,  who  heard  him  quietly  and  gladly,  till  the 
Justice  incensed  them  against  him;  when  the  rwder 
part  of  them  seized  him,  and  by  the  Justice's  or- 
der he  was  dragged  out  of  the  town.    There,  after 
being  severely  beaten  till  he  was  senseless,  he  fell 
on  the  wet  common,  and  continued  in  that  situa- 
tion for  some  time .    When  he  recovered,  he  lay 
gtill  awhile,  and  was  favoured  to  feel  divine  re- 
freshment to  his  soul.     Rising  up,  he  said  to  the 
people  about  him,  "  Strike  again,  here  are  my 
arms,  my  head,  and  my  cheeks."     One  man,  a 
mason,  was  rude  enough  to  strike  hun  a  severe 
blow  with  his  rule  on  the  hand.     The  people  af- 
terwards quarrelled  among  themselves,  and  George, 
notwithstanding   all   their   cruel   treatment,   was 
strengthened  to  preach  unto  them,  endeavour- 
ing to  convince  them  of  the  impropriety  of  their 
conduct,   and  its   inconsistency  with  true  Chris- 
tianity.    He   returned   soon  to  Ulverstone,   and 
went  into  the  market,  when  a  soldier  with  his 
rapier,   offered  to  protect  him,   but  George   de- 
clined it,  and  seeing  the  soldier  endeavouring  to 
defend  some  other  friends  with  his  drawn  rapier, 
he  prevailed  on  him  to  withdraw,  lest  some  mis- 
chief   should    occur.      Going    to    Swarthmore, 


58 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


59 


George  found  the  family  tlieie  occupied  in  dres- 
sing the  wounds  of  several  friends  who  had  been 
hurt  that  day  by  the  enraged  populace.  He  was 
himself  much  bruised  by  the  abuse  which  he  had 
met  with,  but  does  not  seem  to  have  been  other- 
wise injured* 

In  reading  the  memoirs  of  this  excellent  man,  the 
mind  is  unavoidably  struck  with  the  courage,  pa- 
tience, and  meekness  with  which  he  bore  the  cruel 
treatment  tliat  he  often  received.     Soon  after  the 
foregoing  circumstance,  he  went  to  the  Isle  of 
Walney  a  second  time,  where  the  barbarous  peo- 
ple treated  him  and  his  companions  in  a  shocking 
manner.    At  one  town  the  people  came  upon  hinj. 
with  pitcliforks,  flails,  and  staves,  crying,  "  Kill 
him,  knock  him  on  the  head,  bring  tlie  cart,  and  carry 
him  away  to  the  church-yard."     He  was  so  muck 
abused,  that  after  walking  to  the  house  of  a  friend, 
lie  could  scarcely  speak.    James  Naylor,  who  was 
with  him,  also  suffered  much  on  this  occasion. 
Margaret  Fell,  hearing  of  the  cruel  treatment  they 
had  met  with,  sent  a  horse  for  George  to  ride  on 
to  her  house  ;  but  it  was  with  great  difficulty  and 
pain  that  he  could  bear  the  motion  of  the  horse. 
After  his  return  to  Swarthmore,  Judge  Fell  sent 
warrants  to  apprehend  some  of  those  riotous  per- 
sons, and  desired  George  to  give  him  a  relation  of 
Uicir  abusive  conduct  \  but  this  he  declined,   and 


the  Judge  told  his  wife,  that  lie  spake  of  it  as  a 
man  that  had  not  been  concerned.  "  Indeed  (says 
Oeorge)  the  Lord's  power  healed  me." 

When  he  returned  from  the  Isle  of  Walney,  he 
found   that  two  Justices   had  issued    a    warrant 
against  him,  the  execution  of  which  was  prevented 
by  Judge  Fell.     George  hearing  of  the  warrant, 
came  to  the  Sessions  at  Lancaster,  where  forty 
Priests  appeared  against  him.   They  had  provided 
one  young  Priest  and  two  Priests'  sons,  to  bear 
witness  that  they  had  heard  him  speak  blasphemy; 
but  when  they  came  before  the  Court,  they  could 
not  support  their  charge,  which  produced  a  repri- 
mand from  the  Bench.     Several  respectable  per- 
sons were  in  Court,  who  had  been  present  when 
the  pretended  blasphemous  words  were  said  to 
have  been  spoken,  and  they  declared  there  that 
the  oath  which  the  witnesses  had  taken,  was  alto- 
gether false.     The  Justices  were  fully  convinced 
of  George  Fox's  innocency,   and  one  of  them, 
Colonel  West,  said  to  him  in  ojien  Court,  "George, 
if  thou  hast  any  tiling  to  say,  thou  mayest  freely 
declare  it."     This  gave  him  an  opportunity  which 
he  found  it  right  to  embrace ;  and  though  some 
opposition  was  made  by  a  few   of    the  Priests, 
yet  he  was  enabled  so  to  confute  them,  that  they 
Jeft  the  Court  in  -a  rage.     George  Fox  was  fully 
<:leared  of  the  charges  brought  against  him,  the 


60 


LIFE  OF  GEOROE  FOX. 


malice  of  Uie  Priests  was  exposed,  and  a  great 
convincement  took  place.  Among  the  number 
convinced  was  Justice  Benson,  of  Westmoreland, 
and  Major  Ripan,  the  Mayor  of  Lancaster. 

After  staying  two  or  three  days  at  Lancaster, 
where  he  met  with  some  rude  treatment,  he  left 
the  place ;  and  returned  to  it  at  the  time  of  the 
Assizes,  when  the  Priests,  assisted  by  some  evil- 
disposed  Justices,  endeavoured  to  influence  Judge 
Windham  against  him.     They  were  so  far  suc- 
cessful, that  the  Judge  made  a  speech  in  open 
Court,    and   ordered   Colonel   West,    who    was 
Clerk  of  the  Assize,  to  issue  a  warrant  for  his  ap- 
prehension.    This  the  Colonel  refused,   and  the 
Judge  commanding  him  either  to  write  the  war- 
rant, or  leave  his  seat,  he  again  refused,  and  told 
the  Judge  that  he  would  offer  up  all  his  estate, 
and  body  also,  in  support  of  George  Fox.     This 
put  the  Judge  to  a  stand,  and  defeated  the  object 
of  those  who  had  so  improperly  influenced  him, 
George,  soon  after  he  came  to  Lancaster,  went  to 
the  chambers  of  Judge  Fell  and  Colonel  West, 
who  smiled  at  him,  and  one  of  them  said,  "What! 
are  you  come  into  the  dragon's  mouth  ?"  He  staid 
in   the  town  till   the  Judge  left  it,   walking  the 
streets  publicly,  but  no  one  laid  hands  on  him. 
^  llius   (says  he)  the  Lord's  blessed  power  which 
J8  over  all,  carried  me  through  and  over  this  exei^ 


ILIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


6j 


cis^,  gave  dominion  over  his  enemies,  and  enabled 
me  to  go  on  in  his  glorious  work  and  service,  foK 
liifl  great  name's  sake. 

Leaving  Lancaster,  he  came  to  Robert  Widr- 
der's,  and  had  a  large  meeting  at  Thomas  Leper's, 
after  which  he  narrowly  escaped  a  plot  which  had 
been  laid  for  his  life.   Calling  at  Justice  (or  Colonel) 
West's,  in  the  way,  he  came   again  to   Swarth- 
inore,  visiting  his  friends,  and  writing  letters  t^ 
Magistrates,   Priests,   and  others   thereaway,  re- 
proving them,  and  exhorting  them  to  repentance . 
and  amendment  of  life.     Having  cleared  his  minil 
by  these  epistles,  he  returned  into  Westmoreland, 
where  he  was  again  waylaid,  with  a  design,  it  appears, 
to  take  his  life,  but  he  was  preserved  from  the  snare. 
He  had  several  disputes  with  the  Priests,  two  of 
whom  attempted  to  prove  that  the  Scriptures  were 
the  Word  of  God.     George  admitted  that  they 
were  the  Words  of  God,  but  not,  as  one  of  theni 
asserted, "  God  the  Word,"  which  was  Christ.  The 
Priests  were  unable  to  prove  their  assertion,  and 
many  of  the   people    saw   the    errors    of   their 
teachers. 


About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1655,  he  re- 
turned again  to  Svvaithmore,  and  visited  several 
meetings  in  Lancashire.  One  day,  when  Judge 
Fell  and  Justice  Benson  were  conversing  on  the 


61 


LIFE   OF  6E0RGE  TOX; 


state  of  public  affairs,  and  particularly  respecting 
the    long    parliament,    Nvhich   xxas   then   sittnig, 
George  Fox;   Nvho  was  present,  told  them,  that 
before  that  day  two  weeks,  the  parliament  would 
be  broken  up,  and  the  speaker  plucked  from  the 
chair.     This   was   literally   verilied,   and  Justice 
Benson  told  Judge  Fell  that  he  now  perceived 
George  was  a  prophet,   Cromwell  having  broken 
up  the  parliament  within  the  time  mentioned. 


CHAP.  V. 

l6 53 -—Fasts  ten  Days^Visits  Cwnhcrhnd-^ Antlmtf 
Pearson  and  many  others  are  convinced — Is  arrested  at 
Carlisle,  and  committed  to  Prison-^ After  his  Liberation^ 
goes  into  Westmoreland,  Durham,  and  Northumberland. 

It  appears  that  George  Fox  was  sometimes  iu 
the  practice  of  fasting,  when  his  mind  was  parti- 
cularly exercised.  About  this  time  he  was  engaged 
to  fast  for  ten  days,  on  account  of  two  of  his 
friends  getting  up  into  pride  and  self-exaltation, 
and  running  out  into  imaginations;  but  through  his 
labour  witli  them,  they  were  brought  to  see  their 
error,  and  to  condemn  it. 

Hearing   that   some  persons   in   Cumberland 
threatened,  that  if  he  came  there,  they  would  take 
away  his  life,  he  felt  his  mind  drawn  to  go  thither, 
and  went  directly  into  those  parts  from  which  the 
threatenings  came,   regardless  of  the  danger  to 
which  he  was  exposed;  but  vvhen  he  came  there, 
they  had  no  power  to  touch  him.     He  returned 
again   into  Lancashire,  and   being  on  a  visit  at 
Colonel  West's,  he  was  informed  that  Anthony 
Pearson,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  three  counties, 
was  at  Swarthmore.  The  Colonel  advised  George 
to  go  there,  saying,  "  it  may  be  of  great  service 
to  the  man  ;'*  accordingly  he  went,  and  Anthony 
Pearson  was  eflfectually  reached  by  his  ministry. 


64 


XIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


Soon  after,  he  and  his  wife  accompanied  Georgfe 
to    Bootle,  in  Cumberland ;  where  Anthony  left 
him,   and  went  to  the  Sessions  at  Carlisle.     At 
Bootle,  George  went  into  the  place  of  public  wor- 
ship,  and  when  the  priest  had  done,  began  to  speak  ; 
but  the  people  were  very  rude,  and  beat  him  violent- 
ly ;  this  however  did  not  deter  him  from  going  to  the 
same  place  in  the  afternoon.  A  priest  from  London, 
of  great  repute,  was  preaching  when  George  went 
in;  and  applying  what  is  said  in  the  scriptures,  re- 
specting  false  prophets,  antichrists,  aud  deceivers, 
to  him   and  his  friends.      When  the  priest  had 
finished,  George,  repeating  the  same  scriptures, 
showed  their  applicability  to  the  priest,  and  to 
such  as  him.     The  priest   interrupting  him,  and 
forbidding  him  to  speak,   George  replied  to  him, 
that,  he  having  his  hour  glass,  by  which  he  had 
preached  and  finished  his  sermon,  the  time  was 
now  as   free  for  one  as  for  the  other,   both  oF 
them  being  strangers.     After  this,  George  had  a 
full  opportunity  to  communicate  what  he  had  to 
say  to  the  people.     When  he  had  finished,  the 
priests  manifested  much  anger,  and  some  other3 
Avere  mischievously  disposed,  but  none  were  per. 
mitted  to  injure  him. 

Whilst  at  Bootle,  he  sent  to  have  a  meeting 
appointed  near  Cockermouth,  which  was  largely 
attended.  It  proved  an  extraordinary  opportunity ; 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


65 


many  hundreds  were  convinced,  who  received  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  free  teaching,  with 
gladness.     Among  them  were  twelve  soldiers  and 
their  wives.    On  the  First  Day  following,  George 
was  at  Cockermouth,  where,  when  he  attempted 
to  speak  after  the  priest,  the  people  began  to  be 
rude  ;   but  the  soldiers  informing  them  that  no 
Jaw  was  broken,  they  became  quiet,  and  George 
Fox  declared  to  them   the  way  of  life  and  truth, 
directing  them  to  Christ  their  teacher,  who  died 
for  them,  and  bouglit  them  with  his  blood.     In 
the  afternoon,  he  went  to  Brigham,  where  great 
companies  followed  him.     Being  invited  into  the 
worship  house,  and  seeing  no  other  convenient 
place,  he  accepted  it.   "  A  fine  opportunity,"  savs 
he,  "  the  Lord  gave  me  to  preach  the  truth  that  day, 
for  about  three  hours ;  and  all  was  quiet ;  many 
hundreds   were   convinced,    and    some   of    them 
praised  God,  and  said,  '*  Now  we  know  the  first 
step  to  peace.'* 


Several  circumstances  occurred  about  this  time^ 
which  evinced  that  he  had  a  peculiar  gift  of  dis^ 
ceming  the  spirits  of  those  he  met  with ;  one  of 
which  it  may  be  sufficient  to  relate.  Seeing  a 
woman  at  a  distance,  he  ca«t  his  eyes  upon  her, 
and  said,  "Thou  hast  been  a  harlot."  She  re- 
plied,  that  "  many  could  tell  her  of  her  outward 
«iHS;   but  none  of  her  inward  /'   to  which  h^ 


m 


ttVE  or  GEOR€E  POX. 


answered,  that  her  heart  was  not  right  before  the 
Lord,  and  from  the  inward  came  the  outward. 
This  woman  was  afterwards  convinced,  aad  be- 
came a  Friend. 

Leaving  the  neighbourhood  of  Cockermoutb, 
he  went  to  Coldbeck,  and' thence  to  Carlisle,  bav- 
in" meetings  at   several  places,  at  which  divers 
were  convinced.    At  Carlisle,  he  had  a  meeting 
in  the  Cathedral,  and  another  among  tlie  soldiers 
t»t  the  CasUe,  where  he  met  with  but  little  opposition, 
and  some  of  the  soldiers  were  convinced.    He  also 
preached  on  the  market  day  at  the  cross,  and  on- 
TirstDay,  went  to   the  public  worship  house; 
vhere,  as  usual,  when  the  priest  had  ended  his 
sermon,  he  preached  to  the  people;  which  occa- 
sioned considerable  tumult,  and  U.e  next  day  the 
Magistrates  granted  a  warrant  to  apprehend  him. 
Being  brought  before  them,  he  laid  open  the  fruits 
Of  their  priests'  ministry,  and  their  own  high  pro- 
fession; for  they  were  Presbyterians  and  Indepen- 
dents,  as  were  the  persecutors  in  general  in  those 
days,  the  Episcopalians  having  then  no  power.— 
After  a  long  examination,  he  was  committed  to 
prison,  as  a  blasphemer,  heretic,  and  seducer.- 
Here  he  lay  till  the  Assizes,  when  it  appears  to 
have  been  intended  to  takeaway  his  life,  the  High 
Sheriff  saying  that  he  would  guard  hinx  to  the 
place  of  execution  hiinself.}  but  whilst  be,  wtb 


LIFE  ©F  GEORGE  FOX. 


67 


the  Judge  and  Justices,  were  contriving  how  to 
accomplish  their  evil  design,  the  Judge's  Clerk 
started  a  question,  which  confounded  their  Coun- 
sels.    Finding  they  could  not  succeed  in  this  ob- 
ject, they  concluded  not  to  bring  him  to  trial,  not- 
withstanding a  strong  remonstrance  from  Anthony 
Pearson.     Being  now  left  to  the  mercy,  or  rather 
to  the  cruelty,  of  the  Magistrates,  they  removed 
him  into  the  prison  which  was  occupied  by  felons. 
It  was  a  very  filthy  place,  men  and  women  being 
put   promiscuously    into   it.      One   woman   was 
almost  eaten  to  death  with  vermin.  The  prisoners, 
however,  were  very  loving,  and  even  subject  to  their 
new  companion,  and  "  some  of  them,"  he  says, "  were 
convinced  of  the  truth,  as  the  publicans  and  har- 
lots were  of  old."     The  gaoler  and  under-gaoler, 
however,  treated  him  with  great  cruelty,  and  even 
beat  him  very  severely;  nor  would   they   suffer 
his  friends  to  visit  him,  without  extending  their 
abuse  to  them  ;  and  they  were  often  denied  access 

to  him. 

When  he  found  that  he  was  not  likely 
to  be  brought  to  public  trial,  he  published  a 
paper,  inviting  those  who  had  any  thing  to  lay  to 
his  charge,  to  give  their  accusations  in  writing, 
that  they  might  be  fairly  answered.  This  paper 
he  directed  to  be  put  upon  all  the  market  crosses 
in  Westmoreland  and  Cumberland.  He  also 
wrote  to  the  Magistrates  who  committed  him ;  and 
Anthony  PearsoD;  >vho  had  before  very  forcibly 


Cd 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOK. 


tiFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


69 


remonstrated  with  the  Justices,  on  their  conduct; 
MTOte,    jointly    with    Gervas    Benson,     to    the 
Magistrates,  Priests,  and  people  of  that  place,  re- 
proving  them  for  tiieir  illegal  and  crnel  conduct 
to  their  friend.  Soon  after  this,  the  Magistrates  con- 
cluded to  set  him  at  liberty,  but  before  his  liberation, 
the  Governor  (of  the  Castle,  I  suppose)  introduced 
Anthony  Pearson  to  the  prison,  and  they  examined 
this  miserable  place  of  continement,  which  was 
found  so  filthy,  that  the  Magistrates  were  exceedr 
in<^ly  censured.    The  gaolers  were  obliged  to  find 
sureties  for  their  good   behaviour,  and  the  under- 
gaoler  was  committed  to  the  same  prison.    It  was 
durint'  George  Fox's  continement  here,  that  James 
Parnell,   a  youth  about  \6  years  of  age,  visited 
him;  and  being  convinced,  joined  him  in  religious 

fellowship. 

After  his  liberation  from  Carlisle,  he  returned 
to  Thomas     Be wl ay's,    at    Coldbeck,    where   a 
Baptist  teacher  came  to  dispute  with  him.     The 
Baptist,  however,  was  convinced,  and  having  an 
iinpropriation  of  tidies,  he  gave  it  up  freely;  and 
several  otliers  followed  his  example.     About  this 
time,   Friends  were  exceed mgly  abused  in  these 
parts,  and  underwent  great  sufferings  various  ways, 
their   lives    being   often  in  danger;    "  but   (says 
George  Fox)  the   Lord's  power  sustained  them ; 
the  everlasting  gospel  and  word  of  life  flourished, 
and   thousands   were   turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  his  teaching." 


Leaving  Cumberland,  he  came  to  Strickland- 
Jiead,  in  Westmoreland,  w  here  he  had  a  large  meet- 
ing.    The  Priests  and  Magistrates  in  these  parta 
were  violently  disposed,  and  obtained  a  warrant  to 
apprehend  him  ;  but  they  were  not  permitted  to 
execute  it.     Visiting  the  meetings  of  his  Friends 
on  the  way,  he  came  again  to  Swarthmore.    Some 
Baptists  in  Scotland  had  sent  to  offer  to  dispute 
with   him,  and  he  appointed   to  meet   them   at 
Thomas  Bewlay's,  in  Cumberland ;  but  when  he 
came  there,  none  of  them  met  him.     He  received 
much  personal  abuse,  in  this  journey,  but  sustained 
lio  material  injury.     He  next  visited  part  of  the 
County  of  Dui4iam,  and  passed  into  Northumber- 
land.    A^  Derwent-Water,  he  had  several  great 
meetings:    "The   everlasting  word   of  life  w^s 
freely   preached,   and   freely  received;  hundreds 
bein<y  turned  to  Christ  their  teacher," 

Coming  to  Hexham,  he  had  a  large  meeting  on 
the  top  of  a  hill,  in  the  neighbourhood,  at  which 
he  met  with  no  interruption.  After  this  meeting, 
he  passed  through  the  town,  and  came  into  Gils- 
land,  a  country  then  noted  for  thieves,  some 
Friends  being  with  him.  Here  a  priest  came  to 
them  at  an  inn,  and  said  he  would  prove  them 
deceivers,  out  of  the  Bible,  but  he  failed  of  his 
design.  In  the  course  of  their  conversation, 
George  asked  him  what  he  called  tlie  Steepler 


t'  i 


tk 


70 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


IiIFE   OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


71 


bouse.  « Oh,  (said  he)  the  dreadful  house  of 
God,  the  temple  of  God."  This  shows  the  very 
superstitious  reverence  which  was  then  entertamed 
for  these  places,  and  accounts  for  that  zeal  with 
*hich  George  Fox  opposed  it,  and  endeavoured 
to  convince  the  people  of  their  erroneous  opu«oi« 
respecting  them. 

He  now  came  again  into  Cumberland,  and  had  a 
.neeting  on  the  top  of  a  hill,  near  Langlands,  at  which 
several  thousands  of  people  were  supposed  to  be 
present.   It  was  a  heavenly  meeting.  The  mind,  of 
the  people  were  so  effectually  turned  to  Chns^ 
their  teacher,  that  when  Francis  Howgill  vis.ted 
them  afterwards,  he  found  that  they  had  no  need 
of  words,  and  he  sat  amongst  them,  without  havmg 
any   thin,  to  communicate.      Many   predictions 
^■ere  about  this  time  given  forth  by  their  enemies, 
of  the  speedy  downfal  of  this  new  society,  and  Us 
members  met  will,  great  reproach  and  suffering, 
on  account  of  their  peculiar  conduct.     Many,  for 
a  time,  refused  to  deal  with  them  in  the  way  of 
trade ;  but  tl.eir  uprightness  and  integrity  soon 
raised  them  so  much  in  the  good  opimon  of  the 
people,  that  they  had  in  general  more  business 
Ihan  their  neighbours,  which  frequently  excited 
much  envy  towards  them.    There  were  now  great 
numbers  convinced  in  the  Northern  counties;  and 
many  mouths  were  opened  to  bear  Ustuuooy  to 


the  truth,  and  to  publish  it  in  various  parts  of  the 
nation.  This  brought  an  exercise  upon  George 
Fox;  and  he  wrote  an  epistle  to  his  Friends, 
"  stirring  up  the  pure  inind,  and  raising  a  holy 
care  and  watchfulness  over  themselves  and  one 
another." 

Whilst  he  was  in  the  North,  Morgan  Floyd,  a 
priest  of  Wrexham,  in  North  Wales,  sent  two  of 
his  congregation  to  inquire  concerning  Friends, 
and  to  try  them,  as  he  called  it ;  but  these  triers 
being  both  convinced,  did  not  hastily  return  to 
their  master,  continuing  awhile  with  Friends  here- 
away. One  of  them,  John  ap  John,  continued  a 
steady  Friend,  and  became  a  minister,  in  which 
capacity  he  afterwards  accompanied  George  Fox 
in  Wales. 

t 

It  does  not  appear  when  George  first  promulgated 
his  testimony  against  oaths,  but  it  is  a  doctrine  that 
had  now  made  some  progress ;  for  when,  during 
Oliver  CromwelFs  Protectorate,  an  oath  of  allegi- 
ance or  obedience  to  him,  was  tendered  to  the  army, 
many  of  them  refused  to  take  it,  in  compliance 
with  the  command  of  Christ :  "  Swear  not  at  all." 
It  seems  that  these  soldiers  had  been  already  con- 
vinced by  George  Fox's  ministry,  or  that  of 
his  Friends,  but  had  not  yet  left  the  army.  This 
however  was  the  means   of  entirely  separating 


7% 


I,IFE   OF   GEOKGE  FOX. 


I 


them  from  it,  and  bringing  them  into  nearer  fel- 
lowship with  Friends.  Some  proved  unfaithful, 
and  remainmg  in  the  army,  several  of  them  were 
shot  by  their  fellow-soldiers,  who  mistook  them 
for  enemies. 

From  this  and  other  circumstances,  it  appears, 
that  several  of  our  early  Friends  were  convinced 
while  in  the  army ;  and  that  they  did  not  imme- 
diately relinquish  this  mode  of  life;  but  as  the 
peaceable  prniciples,  promulgated  by  George  Fox 
and  his  Friends,  prevailed,  the  inconsistency  of 
war  with  the  Gospel  dispensation,  became  increas- 
ingly manifest ;  and  this  new  society  considered 
itself  called  upon  to  bear  testimony  to  the  coming 
of  that  day,  foretold  by   the  prophets,  in  which 
<'  Nation  shall  not  lift  up  a  sword  against  natiog^ 
neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more." 


CHAP.  VI. 

lQ54>.-^lletums  into  Yorkshire,  Large  meting  at  Syn- 
derhill  Green,  Goes  into  Nottinghamshire  and  Derby- 
shire.  Visits  his  relations  in  Leicestershire,  and  travels 
to  London.  Visits  Bedfordshire.  Returns  to  London, 
goes  to  Kent,  Sussex,  and  Berks.  Again  visits  London 
and  several  Eastern  and  Midland  Counties — and  writes 
an  Epistle  to  Friends  in  Ireland, 

The  Churches  in  the  North  being  established; 
and  Friends  gathered  under  the  teaching  of  Christ, 
George  Fox  was  engaged  to  travel  into  the  Southern 
parts  of  Yorkshire,  and  passing  through  Halifax,  a 
rude  town,  he  came  to  Thomas  Taylor's,  who  had 
been  a  Captain  in  the  army,  and  proceeded  to 
Synderhill  Green,  where  a  meeting  was  appointed 
for  him,  about  three  weeks  before  he  came  there. 
The  meeting  proved  very  large,  and  it  was  supposed 
some  thousands  were  present,  many  of  whom  were 
persons  of  note,  or  officers  in  the  army.     "There 
was  a  general  conviucement;  for  the  Lord's  power 
and  truth  were  set  over  all,  and  there  was  no  op- 
position.''    This  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1654. 

There  were  now  about  sixty  ministers  raised  up 
in  the  Northern  counties,  as  fellow  labourers  with 
Geor<re  Fox,  and  travelling  in  different  parts  of 
the  nation.      For   these  he    felt  much    solici- 


74 


LIFE  or  GEOKGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


7^ 


tude,  that  they  might  be  kept  humble  and 
watchful ;  and  he  wrote  an  epistle  to  them,  con- 
taining much  instruction  and  advice,  which,  ia 
their  state  of  infancy  and  in^perience,  might  h^ 
very  profitable  to  them. 

After  he  left  the  country  about  SynderhilL 
Green,  he  travelled  in  various  parts  of  Yorkshire, 
as  far  as  the  extremity  of  iJolderness,  visiting 
-Friends  who  had  been  gathered  by  his  ministry, 
when  there  before;  and  he  found  them  in  a  situa- 
tion which  proved  comfortable  to  him.  He  after- 
wards came  to  Captain  Bradford's,  whose  place 
of  residence  he  does  not  describe,  but  it  may  be 
supposed  to  be  not  far  from  York,  as  many  Rant- 
ers came  from  that  city  to  dispute  with  him,  who, 
lie  says,  were  confounded.  A  Lady  Montague 
also  came  to  Captain  Bradford's,  and  was  con- 
vinced, and  lived  and  died  in  the  truth. 

In  the  course  of  his  travels,  he  came  again  to 
Thomas  Taylor's,  near  Halifax.  Some  rude  per- 
sons, who,  it  was  said,  had  bound  themselves  by 
an  oath,  to  kill  him,  came  to  a  meeting  there,  at 
which  about  two  hundred  persons  w  ere  present ;  but, 
notwithstanding  the  wicked  design  of  these  men,  and 
their  great  rudeness  during  the  meeting,  they  were 
all,  at  length,  brought  into  quietness;  and  the  meet- 
ing proved  very  satisfactory.     **  The  Lord/'  says 


George,  speaking  of  this  lime,  "  hath  raised  a  fme 
people  in  these  parts,  whom  he  hath  drawn  to 
Christ,  and  gathered  in  his  name.'* 

From  the  neighbourhood  of  Halifax,  he  went  to 
Balby,  whence  several  Friends  accompanied  him 
into  Lincolnshire.     To  one  meeting  the  Sheriff 
of  Lincoln  came,  and  several  persons  with  him, 
who  for  a  time  caused  some  disturbance ;  but  the 
power  of  truth  came  so  over  them,  that  several 
of  the  opposers  were  convinced,  among  whom  was 
the   Sheriff.      At  another  meeting   Sir  Richard 
Wray,  with  his  brother  and  brother's  wife,  were 
also  convinced,  as  were  many  others  in  these  paits. 
From    Lincolnshire,    he   went   into   Derbyshire, 
accompanied  by  the  Sheriff  of  Lincoln.     They 
had  also   a   large   meeting   at    Skegby,   in  Not- 
tinghamshire,   where   it   appears   a   considerable 
eonvincement  took  place.     Afterwards  he  went 
into  the   Peak  of  Derbyshire,  where  he  met  with 
many  Ranters,  and  had  much  disputing  with  them  ; 
but  « the  Lord's  power,"  he  says,  "  went  over  them ; 
the  word  of  life  was  fully  and  richly  preached,  and 
many  were  convinced."     This  meeting  was  at  the 
bouse  of  Thomas  Hammersley,  who,  being  sum- 
moned on  a  Jury,  was  admitted  to  serve  without 
an  oath.     He  was  made  Foreman,  and  when  he 
brought  in  the  verdict,  the  Judge  said,  "  1  have 
been   a  Judge  many  years,   but  never  heard  a 

G   ^ 


« 1 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


more  upright  verdict  than  that  Quaker  has 
brought  in/'  Other  circumstances  of  this  kind 
occurred,  which  it  is  not  thought  necessary  to 
notice. 

Travelling  through  Derbyshire,  he  visited 
Friends,  till  he  came  to  Swanington,  in  Leicester- 
shire, where  was  a  general  meeting,  which  several 
Friends  in  the  ministry  attended,  as  John  Audland^ 
Francis  Howgill,  Edward  Pyott,  and  Edward 
Burrough.  Several  persons  were  convinced  in 
these  parts ;  but  some  Ranters  made  a  disturb- 
ance ;  yet  they  were  brought  into  quietness,  the 
Lord's  power  coming  over  them.  Here,  and  at 
Twycross,  many  were  convinced,  amongst  whoQi 
were  several  of  the  Ranters. 

After  an  absence  of  three  years,  George  Fox 
returned  to  the  place  of  his  nativity,  to  visit  his 
relations.  Here  his  old  acquaintance,  Nathaniel 
Stephens,  the  priest,  soon  sent  for  him.  George 
w  as  not  aware  of  the  cause,  but  afterwards  found 
that  he  had  given  notice  to  the  country  of  a  meet- 
ing, and  obtained  another  priest  to  join  him  in  a 
public  dispute.  At  the  conclusion  of  it,  George 
informed  the  people,  that  he  intended  to  be  there 
again  that  day  week.  In  the  interval,  he  wtnt  into 
the  neighbouring  parts,  and  had  several  meetings. 
'^The  priest,  it  seems,  took  the  information  for  a 
challenge  to  another  dispute,  which  was  not  in- 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


77 


tended,  and  he  collected  seven  other  priests  to 
assist  him,  giving  public  notice  of  the  meeting,  by 
which  many  hundreds  were  collected.  The  priests 
would  not  keep  to  any  point ;  and  the  dispute  seems 
not  to  have  been  productive  of  much  benefit. 
At  a  meeting  in  the  sanje  place,  a  week  after  this, 
it  does  not  appear  that  much  impression  was  made 
on  the  people  of  his  native  town,  though  a  few 
were  convinced  at  this  last  meeting. 


After  he  left  Drayton,  he  came  to  Leicester  and 
Whetston.  At  the  latter  place,  he  was  arrested  by 
some  soldiers  of  Colonel  Hacker's  regiment.  In 
the  evening,  he  was  brought  before  the  Colonel 
and  his  officers,  and  underwent  many  interroga- 
tories. George,  being  required  to  stay  at  home^ 
and  not  go  abroad  to  meetings,  could  not  agree  to 
the  Colonel's  order,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
Colonel  concluded  to  send  him  to  the  Protector, 
in  London,  against  whose  life  it  appears  some  plots 
were  supposed  at  this  time  to  be  laid.  George 
asserted  his  innocence,  and,  nothing  connected 
with  any  plot  being  laid  to  his  charge,  remon- 
atrated  strongly  against  the  Colonel's  conduQ>>  but 
in  vain,  llie  last  remonstrance  was  whilst  the 
Colonel  was  in  bed,  when  George,  not  succeedinc. 
kneeled  by  the  bed  side,  and  "  besought  th^  I^rd 
to  forgive  him,"  telling  him  also  "when  the  day  of 
his  misery  aad  trial  should  come  upon  him,  to  rc- 

G  3 


f9 


tIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


79^ 


member  what  he  had  said  to  him."  The  Colonel 
was  afterwards  imprisoned  in  London,  and  exe- 
cuted as  a  regicide ;  and  being  reminded  of  his 
former  conduct  to  George  Fox,  he  acknowledged 
that  he  had  trouble  upon  him  for  it. 

Captain   Drury  was  charged  with  the  care  of 
George,  and  took  him  to  London.    On  the  way,  he 
frequently  preached  to  the  people,  at  the  inns  and 
places  where  he  went;  and  he  visited  Wm.  Dews- 
bury  and  Marmaduke  Storr,  who  were  in  prison 
at  Northampton.     When  he  and  his  guard  came 
to  London,  George  was  taken  to  an  inn,  the  Mer- 
maid,  near  Charing-Cross  ;  and  Captain    Drury 
w  ent  to  inform  the  Protector  of  their  arrival,  and 
to  give  an  account  of  his  prisoner.    The  Protector 
appears  to  have  been  very  moderate,  and  only  re- 
quired that  George  Fox  should  engage  not  to  take- 
up  a  sword  or  weapon  against  him,  or  the  Govera- 
ment,  as  it  was  then  constituted.     George  felt  no 
difficulty  in  complying  with  this  requisition,  and  the 
next  morning  wrote  to  the  Protector,  in  which  he 
avowed  his  principle  against  the  use  of  any  out- 
ward weapons,  to  the  injury  of  him  or  any  oth«r 
»ian.    This  satisfied  the  Protector,  who  afterward* 
sent  for  him  to  Whitehall,  and  they  had  much, 
friendly  conversation  together,  George  admonish- 
ing the  Protector  with  his  usual  freedom.     After 
"Aey  parted,  he  was  invited  by  the  ProtectorV 
<irdiii>  to  dine  with  his  gentlenxen,  but  he  refuse(> 


the  invitation ;  which,  with  other  circumstances^ 
induced  the  Protector  to  say,  "  Now  I  see  there  is 
a  people  risen,  that  I  cannot  win  either  with  gifts, 
honours,  offices,  or  places  ;  but  all  other  sects  and 
people  I  can.''  To  this  it  was  replied,  "that 
Friends  had  forsaken  their  own,  and  were  not 
likely  to  look  for  such  things  from  him.'*^ 

W' hilst  George  Fox  was  prisoner  at  Charing- 
Cross,  many  persons  of  various  descriptions,  came 
to  see  him,  amongst  whom  he  had  some  service ; 
and  being  now  liberated,  he  went  into  the  city  of 
London,  where  he  held  many   meetings,   whicb 
were  very  largely  attended ;  and  the  truth  spread 
exceedinoly.     He  also  went  again  to  Whitehall^ 
and  preached  to  the   officers,  and  to  those  wha 
were  called  Oliver's   gentlemen,  who,  it  seems^ 
were  his  body  guard.     George  says  that  he  "  was^ 
moved  to  declare  the  day  of  the  Lord  amongst 
them,  and  that  the  Lord  was  con^  to  teach  hit 
people  himself."     Some  of  the  Protector's  house- 
hold,  and  of  his  own  family,   were  convinced. 
Whilst    George  was  in   London   and   its   neigh- 
bourhood, he  wrote  several  addresses  to  people  in 
diflferent  situations,  one  of  which  waa  to  the  Pro- 
tector, "  to  warn  him  of  the  mighty  work  the  Lord 
hath  to  do  in   the  nations  ;  and  to  beware  of  hi» 
own  wit,  craft,  subtlety,  and  policy,  and  not  to* 
seek  any  by-ends  to  himself'*' 


80 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


tlFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


81 


Leaving  London,  he  went  to  John  Crook's,  in 
Bedfordshire,  where  he  had  a  large  meeting,  at 
which  the  people  were  generally  convinced.  John 
Crook  was  a  Justice  of  Peace,  and  whilst  George  Fox 
was  at  his  house,  several  country  gentlemen  came 
to  dine  with  the  Justice;  and  George  being  one  of 
the  company,  embraced  the  opportunity  of  declaring 
the  truth  to  them.  He  held  several  meetings  in 
Bedfordshire,  where  some  other  Friends  were  also 
engaged  in  Gospel  labour.  A  great  convince- 
meut  took  place,  at  which  the  Magistrates  and 
others  were  much  alarmed,  "  because  so  many 
were  turned  from  the  hireling  priests  to  the  LoriJ 
Jesus  Christ's  free  teaching." 

From  Bedfordshire,  he  returned  to  London, 
where  he  found  his  Friends  established  in  the 
truth,  and  a  considerable  accession  to  their  num- 
bers. He  passed  soon  into  Kent,  and  came  by 
Rochester  to  Cranbrook,  where  he  had  a  large 
meeting.  Several  soldiers  were  present,  some  of 
whom  behaved  rudely  after  the  meeting ;  but 
many  were  turned  to  the  Lord  that  day,  among 
whom  was  Thomas  Howsigoe,  an  Independent 
preacher.  Capt.  Dunk  was  also  convinced  in  Kent, 
and  went  witli  George  Fox  to  Rye,  where  they  had 
a  meeting,  to  which  the  Mayor,  and  several  others 
©f  note,  came.  The  meeting  was  quiet,  and  the 
-people's  minds  well  affected  with  what  they  heard* 


From  Rye,  he  went  to  Rumney,  where  he  met 
with  Samuel  Fisher,  who  had  already  been  con- 
vinced, John  Stubbs  and  William  Caton  having 
before  visited  these  parts.  Previous  notice  having 
been  given,  the  meeting  at  Rumney  was  very  large; 
and  a  great  convincement  took  place.  At  and 
near  Dover,  many  also  were  convinced,  amongst 
whom  were  a  Governor  and  his  wife,  who  had 
been  Baptists,  of  whom  it  appears  there  were 
great  numbers  in  these  parts.  At  Dover,  he  found 
Luke  Howard  already  convinced.  At  Canterbury, 
he  met  with  a  few  honest-hearted  people,  who 
were  turned  to  the  Lord.  From  this  place,  he 
came  again  to  Cranbrook,  where  he  had  another 
great  meeting. 

From  Kent,  he  came  into  Sussex,  and  had  meet- 
in<ys  at  and  near  Horsham  and  Steyning,  and  many 
in  these  parts  were  convinced.  "  The  hearts  of 
the  people  were  opened,  and  they  were  turned  to 
Christ  Jesus  their  shepherd,  who  had  purchased 
them  without  money,  and  would  feed  them  with* 
out  price." 

Leaving  Sussex,  he  came  to  Reading,  in  Berks, 
and  on  First  Day  had  a  meeting  in  an  orchard,  t^ 
which  a  great  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
came,  and  were  well  satisfied,  many  of  them  being 
convinced.  Here  two  of  Judge  FelFs  daughter*- 
(probably  from  London)  came  to  see  him ;,  also 


t 


8^ 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX* 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


85 


% 


George  Bishop,  of  Bristol,  who  was  a  Captain  in 
the  army,  and  at  tliis  time  wore  his  sword,  but 
afterwards  he  became  an  honourable  member  of 
llie  new  society. 

George  Fox  now  came  again  to  I^ndon,  where 
he  had  some  large  meetings.  Leaving  the  city,  he 
travelled  into  Essex,  and  at  Coggeshall  had  a 
meeting,  at  which  it  was  supposed  about  two  thou- 
sand people  were  present.  "  Tlie  word  of  life 
was  freely  declared,  and  the  people  were  turned 
to  tlie  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  teacher  and  sa- 
viour." After  this,  he  had  some  meetings  near 
Colchester,  and  when  in  that  place,  visited  James- 
Parnel,  who  was  in  prison  there.  Of  the  people 
in  these  parts  George  speaks  in  this  manner,  "  A 
great  flock  of  sheep  hath  the  Lord  in  that  country^ 
M'ho  feed  in  his  pastures  of  life." 

He  next  came  to  Ipswich,  where  he  had  a  small 
meeting  and  rude  treatment.  At  Mendlesham  he 
had  a  large  meeting,  which  he  says  "  was  quiet, 
and  the  Lord's  power  was  preciously  felt."  Pass- 
ing into  Norfolk,  he  came  to  Captain  Lawrence's, 
where  he  had  a  large  and  quiet  meeting  ;  about 
one  thousand  persons  being  supposed  to  be  pre- 
sent,  of  whom  many  were  convinced.  He  after^ 
wards  came  to  Norwich  and  Yarmouth,  havmg 
some  service  in  these  places.  From  Yarmouth  he 
iKeut  to  several  other  places  m  the  county,  fre* 


^uently  preaching  to  the  people  on  horseback. 
At  one  place  he  and  his  companion  ordered 
their  horses  to  be  ready  at  three  in  the 
morning,  intending  for  Lynn,  about  thirty-three 
miles  distant ;  but  in  the  night  they  were  inquired 
after,  and  arrested  by  some  constables  with  a  hue 
and  cry,  on  account  of  a  house  which,  it  was  said, 
had  been  broken  into.  Tlie  next  morning  they 
took  George  and  his  companion,  Richard  Hub- 
berthorn,  before  a  Justice,  who  manifested  an  un- 
kind disposition  towards  them ;  but  ^hey  being 
able  to  prove  an  alibi,  he  was  obliged  to  set  them 
at  liberty.  It  appears  that  the  whole  was  a  pre- 
tence of  some  envious  persons,  who  wished  to 
bring:  GeOrj^e  into  confinement  and  sufferins:.  A 
great  meeting  was  afterwards  gathered  in  that 
town,  from  which  the  hue  and  cry  came. 

Being  set  at  liberty,  they  came  to  Lynn  in  the 
afternoon  of  that  day,  and  in  the  evening  obtained 
a  meeting  with  the  inhabitants  and  some  soldiers 
M'ho  were  in -garrison  there.  "  Many  (to  use  his 
own  words)  were  convinced,  and  a  fine  meeting 
there  is  of  them  that  are  come  off  from  the  hire- 
lings' teaching,  and  sit  under  the  teaching  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Leavnig  Lynn  early  next 
morning,  they  came  to  Sutton,  near  the  Isle  of 
Ely,  where  they  met  with  some  other  Friends,  and 
had  a  large  meeting,  to  which  many  people  came, 
some   from   a  considerable  distance  j   also   four 


aa 


S4 


LIFE  OP  GEORGE  FOX. 


til 


Priests,  one  of  whom  was  convinced,  and  some 
hundreds  of  the  people,  the  Word  of  Life  beu.g 
freely  declared  and  gladly  received.    That  even- 
ing they  passed  to  Cambridge,  and  met  with  great 
rudeness  from  the  scholars,  both  in  the  streets  and 
at  the  inn.     Such  was  the  violence  exercised  by 
these  candidates  for  the  ministry,  and  other  pro- 
fessions, that  when  George  and  his  companions 
were  inquired  at  the  inn  what  they  would  have  for 
supper,  he  replied,  «  Supper!  were  it  not  that  the 
Lord's  power  is  over  them,  these  rude  scholars 
look  as  if  they  would  pluck  us  in  pieces,  and  make 
a  supper  of  us."  The  Mayor  of  the  town  was,  how- 
ever, very  differently  disposed  from  the  Students, 
and  fetched  George  Fox  to  his  own  house.    Here 
they  had  a  good  meeting  with  some  well-disposed 
people,  that  day  or  evening  ;  and  early  next  morn- 
ing left  the  place,  to  the  disappointment  of  some 
who  had  entertained  evil  designs  respecting  them, 
and  supposed  they  would  continue  longer  there. 

From  Cambridge  they  came  to  Bishop-Stortford 
and  Hertford,  at  both  which  places  some  con- 
vincement  took  place.  Returning  to  London, 
'they  were  gladly  received  by  their  friends.  Here 
George,  accompanied  by  Richard  Hubberthorn, 
continued  some  time  visiting  Friends,  and  replying 
to  gainsayers,  sometimes  by  public  disputation, 
and  at  otliers,  by  writing.  Whilst  in  London,  he 
also  wrote  an  affectionate  Epistle  to  his  Frieudsi 


LIFE    OV  OEOBGE  tOX> 


a* 


to  encoufage  them  under  the  sufferings  and  exer- 
cises which  then  fell  to  their  lot ;  persecution  be- 
ing very  prevalent  in  many  parts  of  the  nation. 

Feeling  his  mind  at  liberty  to  leave  London,  he 
travelled  into  Bedfordshire  and  Northamptonshire. 
At  Wellingborough  he  had  a  large  meeting,  and 
many  in  those  parts  were  turned  to  the  Lord. 
Such  was  the  influence  of  the  ministry  of  George 
Fox  and  his  friends,  that  the  Presbyterians  and 
Independents  hereaway,  falsely  reported  that  they 
carried  bottles  with  them,  out  of  which  they  gave 
the  people  drink,  and  thus  induced  them  to  be- 
come their  followers.  These  high  professors  bet- 
came  also  .great  persecutors  of  Friends  on  account 
of  their  not  paying  tithes;  tliough  tithes  were 
among  tlie  evils  of  which  they  had  complained  in 
tlie  former  Government. 

From  Wellingborough  George  Fox  went  again 
into  Leicestershire.  Colonel  Hacker  had  threa** 
fened,  that  if  he  came  there  he  would  im- 
prison him  again,  though  the  Protector  had  given 
him  his  liberty  ;  but  when  he  came  to  Whetstoa, 
where  he  had  been  before  taken  prisoner,  he 
met  with  no  interruption.  On  the  contrary, 
the  Coloners  wife  and  his  Marshal,  came  to 
a  meeting  there,  and  were  both  convinced,  as 
V^eie  also  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  from  Wales^ 
Peter  Price  and  Walter  Jcukjiqs,  vi\w  afterw^rfc 

u 


86 


LlPE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


1^ 


became  Miuisters  of  Christ.  At  Wm.  Smldi's,  at 
Sileby,  George  had  another  meetuig,  which  wa« 
largely  atteixled,  many  Baptists  coming  to  it,  and 
one    of  tlieir  teachers  being  convinced. 

He  now  came  again  to  Drayton,  his  native 
town.     The  Priests,  who  had  before  been  very 
violent  against  him,  were  quiet;  many  of  them 
being  engaged  in  endeavouring  to  obtain  a  bene- 
fice at  Nuneaton,  which  was  then  vacant  by  the 
death  of  th€  incumbent.     He  had  next  a  meeting 
at  Badgley ;  great  numbers  came  to  it,  some  from 
a  considerable  distance,  and  many  were  convinced. 
Tliis  was  also  the  case  in  Nottinghamshire  and 
Derbyshire,  in  whidi  counties  he  had  large  meet- 
ings,  and  where,  he  observes,  "  many  were  turned 
from  darkness  to   light,  and  from  the  power  of 
Satan  to  God.** 

He  next  came  into  Warwickshire,  and  had  a 
meeting   at   Birmingham,    where   many   persons 
uere  convinced.    Afterwards  he  came  to  Evesham, 
in  Worcestershire,  where  the  Magistrates  had  cast 
several  Friends  into  prison ;  and  hearing  of  George 
Fox's  coming,  had  made  a  pair  of  high  stocks. 
He  went,  however,  to  Evesham  widi  his  usual  cou- 
rage, and  in  theevening  had  a  large,  precious  meeting 
^vitbFrienas  and  others,  who  were  refreshed  together 
with  the  Word  of  Life.     In  the  morning  he  went 
on  horseback  to  the  prisons,  and  visited  his  friends 
'  tliere.     After  which,  as  he  was  leaving  the  town, 


LIPE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


87 


he  observed  the  Magistrates  coming  to  arrest  him, 
but  they  were  too  late.  The  spirit  of  persecution 
Mas  now  very  violent  in  these  parts. 

Coming  to  Worcester,  he  had  a  satisfactory 
meeting  there.  At  Tewkesbury,  the  Priest,  with  a 
rude  rabble,  attended  the  meeting,  and  caused  some 
disturbance.  Travelling  to  Warwick,  he  had  a  good 
meeting  at  the  house  of  a  widow,  at  which  many 
were  convinced ;  but  the  Bailiff  manifested  a  per- 
secuting spirit,  which  induced  George  Fox  to  go 
to  his  house,  and  remonstrate  with  him.  The  peo- 
ple were  rude,  but  George  and  his  companions, 
(for  several  Friends  were  now  with  him,)  did  not 
suffer  any  material  injury.  After  leaving  War- 
wick, he  was  engaged  to  return  to  it,  and  declare 
the  Word  of  life  to  them;  and  being  struck  at,  he 
showed  them  their  unworthiness  of  the  n?me  of 
Christians.  Some,  however,  both  here  and  at 
Tewkesbury,  were  turned  to  the  Lord. 

Being  now^  clear  of  Warw  ick,  he  went  to  Co- 
ventry, where  he  found  the  people  in  a  dark  state. 
Going  to  a  person's  house,  where  he  had  been 
when  there  before,  he  found  him  drunk,  lliis  so 
affected  George's  mind,  that  he  did  not  go  into 
any  house  in  the  town,  but  rode  through  some  of 
the  streets  and  the  market-place,  and,  says  he,  "  I 
felt  the  power  of  tlie  Lord  over  the  town.'*     JTe 

u  2 


Ii 


SB 


LJFB  #F   O&oneE    ^QX, 


next  came  to  Dun-Gow,  *  where  he  had  a  meetiug, 
and  many  were  turned  to  the  Lord  hy  his  Spirit. 
Here  he  met  with  John  Camm,  whom  he  styles 
"  a  faithful  Miiiistes  of  the  everlasting  Gospel.** 
At  this  place  they  were  treated  with  much  rude- 
ness in  the  evening,  isome  of  the  people  riding  on 
horseback  into  the  room  in  which  the  Friends  sat, 
but  they  were  not  much  injured,  y  The  Lord,' 
he  say^,  "  gave  us  dominion  over  them*'^ 

Passing  through  Leicestershire,  he  came  to 
Badgley  in  Warwickshire,  where  Wm.  Edmundsoa 
met  him,  by  whom  lie  wrote  an  Epistle  to  Friends 
ill  the  North  of  Ireland,  which  nOt  being  long,  it 
may  be  proper  to  insert,  as  a  specimen  of  his 
short,  pithy,  mode  of  expression.  When  read 
among  those  to  whom  it  was  addressed,  we  are 
told  that  it  had  very  reaching  effect  upon  them. 

*'  Frienps, 

"  In  that  which  convinced  you  wait,  that 
you  may  have  that  removed  you  are  convinced  of. 
And  all  my  dear  Friends  dwell  in  the  life,  love, 
power,  and  wisdom  of  God,  in  unity  one  with  ano- 
ther, and  with  God ;  and  the  peace  and  wisdom  of 
God  fill  all  your  hearts,  that  nothing  may  mle  in 
vou,  but  the  life  which  stands  in  the  Lord  God. 

G.  F.^' 

•  ThU  is  snpposed  to  Tie  the  sign  of  the  Duo-Cow. 


CHAP.  VIL 

1655  to  1656.— TVoie/A-  through  the  Counties  of  North* 
^    amptottf  Bedfurdj  and  Ilerts^  to  London,     Leaves  Lon- 
don for  Surrey ,  Sussex,  Hants,  Dorset j  Devon,  and 
Cornwall.      Is  imprisoned    at  Launceston  about  six 
months,  where  he  is  very  cruelly  treated. 

A  FTER  writing  ihe  Epistle  to  Ireland,  George 
Fox  travelled  by  Swanington  and  Iligham,  intp 
JN^orthaniptonshire,  liedfordshire,  and  Hertford- 
shire. At  Baldock  he  met  with  some  Baptists, 
and  visited  a  sick  woman  of  that  profession,  who 
with  her  husband  was  convinced,  and  meetings 
were  held  in  their  house.  At  the  inn,  two  men 
were  fighting  very  furiously,  and  no  one  durst  at- 
tempt to  part  them  ;  but  George,  with  his  wonted 
intrepidity^  stepped  beiv>een  them,  and  holding 
one  of  them  by  one  hand,  and  the  other  by  his 
other  hand,  he  admonished  and  reconciled  them^ 
and  they  behaved  so  well  to  him,  that  the  people 
were  iu  admiration. 

« 

He  and  his  companions  now  passed  by  Market- 
Street  and  Albans,  to  London,  w  here  their  Friends 
were  comforted  by  their  accounts  of  the  prosperity 
of  truth,  and  their  deliverance  from  many  dangers. 
At  London  he  stayed  some  time,  visiting  the  meet- 
isigs  of  his  Friends.    When  he  left  the  city,  James 


90 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX# 


Naylor  was  there,  concerning  whom,  at  parting, 
George  felt  some  fear,  which  he  afterwards  fount! 
not  to  be  groundless.      He  now  travelled,  having 
Edward  Pyott  for  a  companion,  into  Surrey  and 
Sussex.    Not  far  from  Ryegate,  he  visited  Tlioma* 
'iMoore,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  who  was  con- 
vinced,  and   became   a   serviceable  man  in  the 
society.     Passing  through   Godalmin,  Horsham, 
and  Arundel,  he  came  to  Chichester.    Here  some 
people  attended  the  meeting,  Mho  were  disposed 
to  dispute  and  make  a  disturbance.    The  woman 
of  the  house  where  the  meeting  was  held,  was 
convinced ;  but  having  an  offer  of  marriage  from 
one  not  a  Friend,  George  Fox  endeavoured  to 
dissuade   her   from  it,  but   in   vain.     After  het 
marriage,  she  found  her  husband  greatly  in  debt, 
and    became    deranged    in    mind  ;    from    which 
iowever  she  recovered,  and  her  husband  dying, 
the  became  sensible  of  her  fault  in  slighting  the 
advice  which  George  Fox  had  given  her. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  TOX. 


91 


Ulster  among  Friends.  At  Dorchester,  George 
had  a  meeting  and  dispute  with  some  Baptists ; 
vhich  terminated  in  the  convincement  of  many 
who  were  present.  Coming  to  Weymouth,  they 
had  a  meeting  with  about  eighty  sober  people, 
most  of  whom  were  convinced,  receiving  the  truth 
in  the  love  of  it,  with  gladness  of  heart.  When 
George  and  his  companion  left  Weymouth,  a  Cap- 
tain of  horse  accompanied  them  about  seven 
miles.  George  says,  "  This  Captain  was  tlie 
fattest,  merriest,  cheerfullest  man,  and  most  given 
to  laughter,"  that  he  ever  met  with.  This  pro- 
duced several  reproofs  from  him,  the  last  of  which 
appears  to  have  reached  the  Captain's  heart ;  and 
he  told  George,  the  next  time  they  met,  that  when 
he  spoke  to* him  at  parting,  the  power  of  the  Lord 
so  struck  him,  that  before  he  got  home,  he  was 
serious  enough  ;  and  had  left  off  his  laughing. 
He  was  afterwards  convinced,  and  became  a  se- 
rious good  man,  and  died  in  the  truth. 


t 


I  9 

Leaving  Chichester,  they  went  to  Portsmouth, 
where,  after  an  examination  by  the  Governor,  he 
was  set  at  liberty,  and  came  to  Ringwood.  Here, 
and  at  Pool  and-  Southampton,  several  were  con- 
vinced and  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their 
teacher  and  Saviour.  Among  this  number,  at 
Pool,  was  William  Bailey,  a  preacher  among  the 
Baptists,  who  afterwards  became  an  eminent  rtri- 


Parting  with  the  Captain,  George  Fox  and  his 
companion  came  to  Honiton,  in  Devonshire,  and 
after  having  some  dispute  with  a  number  of  pai*- 
ticular  Baptists,  they  proceeded  to  Topsham, 
where  they  met  with  much  rudeness  among  the 
people  ;  yet  some  were  convinced,  and  a  Meeting 
was  afterward  settled  in  this  town.  From  Top- 
sham,  they  proceeded  to  Totness,  which  he  calk 


92 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


"  a  dark  town."  Whilst  here,  his  companion  was 
much  indisposed  ;  but  soon  recovering,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Kingsbridge,  where  several  people  were 
convinced.  Coming  to  Plymouth,  they  had  a 
very  precious  meeting  at  Robert  Gary's.  Eliza- 
beth Trelawney,  the  daughter  of  a  Baronet,  at- 
tendedand  was  convinced,  with  several  others,  and 
a  Meeting  was  settled  there  in  the  Lord's  power. 


Leaving  Devonshire,  they  passed  into  Cornwall, 
and  came  to  an  inn  in  the  parish  of  Menhenniott, 
near  which  a  meeting  was  held  that  night,  at  the 
house  of  Robert  Hancock.  This  meeting  appears 
to  have  been  the  means  of  extending  the  principles 
of  Friends,  and  gathering  many  into  the  acknow- 
ledgment of  them.  Passing  through  Penryn  and 
Helston,  tliey  came  to  Market  Jew,  where  the 
Magistrates  sent  constables  for  them.  The  con- 
stables having  no  warrant,  they  refused  to  attend 
them,  but  after  some  other  messages,  Edward  Pyott 
went,  and  had  some  discourse  with  the  Magis- 
trates, who  gave  them  no  further  molestation.  At 
this  place  George  wrote  a  paper,  containing  some 
Christian  instruction  and  advice,  which  was  to  be 
spread  in  the  seven  parishes  at  the  Land's  End* 
One  of  these  papers  was  given,  as  they  were  tra.- 
velling  betwixt  Market  Jew  and  Ives,  to  a  servant 
of  Peter  Ceely,  a  Justice  of  Peace  and  a  Major 
in  the  army.    The  servant  gave  the  paper  to  his 


IIFE  OF  eEORGE  FOX. 


93 


master,  and  when  George  and  his  companions 
came  to  Ives,  they  were  taken  before  the  Major. 
George  having  walked  to  the  sea  shore,  was  not 
present   when   his  companions  were  taken ;  but 
when  lie  knew  where  they  were,  he  followed  them 
of  his  own  accord.    After  some  conversation,  and 
tendering  the  oath  of  abjuration,  Ceely  committed 
them  to  a  party  of  soldiers,  to  take  them  either  to 
Pendennis  Castle,  or  to  Launceston  Gaol.     On 
the  way,  at  Redruth,  they  had  some  religious  ser- 
vice, also  at  Smethick,   the  same  as  is  now  called 
Falmouth.    Here  Captain  Keat,  who  commanded 
the  guard,  conducted  himself  so  rudely  and  impro- 
perly, by  permitting  a  relation  of  his  to  insult  and 
even   strike   George    Fox,   that  he   sent  for  the 
constables,  and  asked  the  Captain  for  his  warrant 
On  his  showing  it,  George  observed  that  he  had 
broken  his  order,  and  desired  one  of  the  constables 
to  keep  the  warrant,  which  he  did,  and  refused  to 
return  it,  till  they  had  shown  it  to  the  Officers  at 
the   Castle,  who  expressed  great  disapprobation 
of  Captain  Keat's  conduct.     The  Captain  and  his 
guard  were  now  so  humbled,  that  they  promised  to 
be  more  civil,  if  the  prisoners  would  go  w  ith  them> 
and  they  might  have  their  order  again,  with  which 
the  constables  at  length  complied. 

Captain  Fox,  Governor  of  Pendennis  Castle,  not 
being  there,  the  prisoners  were  taken  by  Bodmin 
to  Launceston  ;^  but  on  the  road,  Keat  and  his 


94 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


party  of  soldiers  manifested  much  malice  toward* 
them,  at  least  to  George  Fox,  whose  life  the  Cap- 
tain seemed  desirous  of  being  taken  ;  but  his  evil 
designs  were  frustrated.  When  they  came  to 
Lauuceston,  the  Captain  delivered  his  prisoners  to 
the  gaoler.  They  had  no  Friends  here  to  assist 
them,  and  the  gaoler  was  very  exorbitant  in  his 
demands  for  their  support,  and  that  of  their  horses ; 
but  after  some  time,  they  were  visited  by  a  few  of 
tlie  iuhabitautss  of  the  town  and  the  neighbouring 
country,  several  of  whom  were  convinced  ;  which, 
caused  great  anger  among  the  priests  and  many 
other  high  professors.  Thus  we  see  how  persecution 
often  defeats  its  own  object,  and  by  an  over-ruling. 

Providence,  is  made  the  means  of  spreading  those 
principles,  which  it  is  intended  to  suppress :  In« 

deed,  one  of  the  Protector's  Chaplains,  when  he 
heard  of  Georoe  Fox's  confinement  at  Launces- 
ton,  told  Oliver,  that  tiiey  could  not  do  George 
Fox  a  greater  service,  for  tlie  spreading  of  his 
principles  in  Cornwall,  than  to  imprison  him  there. 


Now  commenced  a  long  imprisonment,  marked 
with  much  injustice  and  cruelty,  but  borne  witli 
that  firmness  and  patience,  which  are  the  peculiar 
characteristics  of  George  Fox.  Besides  Edward 
Pyott  of  Bristol,  William  Salt  was  at  this  time  in 
^ompany  with  George  ;  and  all  three  were  com- 
mitted to  prison.     About  nine  weeks  after  their 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX* 


95 


commitment,  tlie  Assizes  commenced,  and  Jud<^e 
■Glyn,  who  was  Chief  Justice,  came  the  circuit. 
When   the   prisoners   were   brought   mto   court, 
George  saluted  it  with  "  Peace  be  amongst  you." 
The  Friends  keeping  their  hats  on,  consistently  with 
dieir  principles,  the  J  udge  ordered  them  to  take  them 
off,  with  which  they  not  complying,  the  Judge,  after 
some  debate,  remanded  them  to  prison,  between 
Avhich  place  and  the  court,  they  were  repeatedly 
taken  backward  and  forward.     Gorge  Fox  having 
tjueried  where  any  Magistrate,  either  Jew  or  Hea- 
then, from  Moses  to  Daniel,  required  the  hat  to 
be  put  off  before  him,  the  Judge  not  being  ready 
with  a   reply  at   the   tinie,   afterwards  sent   far 
<jeorge   aiKl   his   companions  from   prison,   and 
asked  them,  "  Where  had  tliey  hats  from  Moses 
to  Daniel  ?  Come  answer  me,  I  liave  you  fast  now." 
To  this  George  replied,  "  Thou  mayest  read  in 
the  third  of  Daniei,  that  the  three  children  were 
<;ast  into  the  fiery  ftirnace  with  their  coats,  their 
hose,  and  their  hats  on."     The  Judge  finding  he 
could  not  prevail  with  argument,  had  recoiuse  to 
dienstral  cry,  "  Take  them  away,  Gaoler.'* 


Whilst  George  was  in  court,  he  was  much  af- 
fected with  observing  the  frequent  use  of  oaths, 
which  induced  him  to  give  a  paper  against  swear- 
ing, that  he  had  with  him,  to  the  Jurv.  This 
bemg  shown  to  the  Judge,  he  asked  George  whe- 
ther that  seditious  paper  was  his,  who  desired  it 


96 


LITE   OF  GEORGE   FOX. 


to  be  read,  that  he  might  know  whether  it  was  hi» 
or  not,  and  that  those  who  heard  it  might  judge 
w4iether  it  contained  any  thing  seditious,  llie 
Judge  showed  much  reluctance  to  the  paper  being 
read ;  but  the  matter  was  so  pressed  upon  him, 
that  he  at  length  permitted  it ;  and  George  Fox 
publickly  owned  it  to  be  his,  and  showed  its  con- 
sistency with  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  the  Apostle 
James. 

Major  Ceely,  who  was  in  court,  manifested 
much  malice  on  this  occasion,  bringing  false  ac- 
cusations against  George  Fox,  which  he  could  not 
substantiate,  and  of  the  falsehood  of  which  the 
Judge  and  Court  seemed  sensible.  One  of  the 
accusations  was,  that  George  Fox  told  him  (Ceely) 
that  he  could  raise  forty  thousand  men  at  an  hour's 
warning,  and  requesting  Ceely's  assistance.  This 
George  disproved,  by  obtaining,  with  much  dif- 
ficulty, his  mittimus  to  be  read,  and  by  his  com- 
ments upon  it.  The  other  charge  of  Major  Ceely 
was,  that  George  Fox  had  struck  him  in  the  pre- 
sence of  Captain  Bradden.  The  Captain  was  in 
court,  and  George  Fox  called  upon  him  to  give 
evidence  if  he  saw  any  such  thiug,  but  he  would 
not  come  forward  to  support  the  charge.  At 
night  he  came  to  see  George  and  his  companions, 
and  told  him  that  neither  the  Judge,  nor  any  of 
the  Court,  gave  credit  to  Major  Ceely 's  charges* 
It  seems  George  Fox  had  reproved  the  Major  fw 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE   TOX. 


97 


his  hypocrisy,'  which  he  chose  to  represent  in  a 
different  manner,  as  if  he  had  struck  him  with 
ijis  hands. 

It  is  lamentable  to  observe  how  weakly  justice 
was  administered  at  this  time.  George  Fox  and 
his  companions  were  brought  to  no  regular  trial, 
but  being  remanded  to  prison,  they  were  detained 
there  till  the  following  Assizes.  Many  persons  of 
repute  came  to  visit  them  in  prison,  of  whom 
Humphrey  Lower,  who  had  been  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  was  convinced;  and  the  prejudices  of  some 

others,  who  had  been  of  an  opposing  spirit,  were 

much  removed. 
*  ■ 

Being  now  likely  to  continue  long  in  confine- 
ment, the  prisoners  thought  proper  to  send  their 
horses  into  the  country,  and  also  to  withdraw  the 
allowance  of  7  s.  per  week  each  for  themselves. 
This  greatly  irritated  the  jailer,  who  appears  to 
have  been  a  very  wicked  man.  He  put  the  pri- 
soners into  a  filthy  place,  called  Doomsdale,  where 
they  were  most  inhumanly  treated  by  the  two 
jailers,  both  of  vihom  had  been  burnt  in  the  hand 
and  shoulder  for  their  crimes.*  Whilst  in  this  dismal 


*  George  Fox*s  description  of  this  place,  is  more  suitable 
for  a  note  than  for  the  body  of  the  work.  He  says  it  was  "  m 
nasty  stinkinj;  pi  ice,  where  they  used  to  put  murderers  af* 
ter  they  were  coudeianed.   The  place  was  so  noisome,  thiv^ 


98 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


place,  flie  prisoners  were  told  that  it  was  haunted  by 
evil  spirits,  which,  however,  excited  no  uneasiness 
in  their  minds;  on  the  contrary,  George  Fox  told 
those  who  had  endeavoui^d  to  alarm  tliem  with 
this  report,  that  "  if  all  the  spirits  and  devils  in 
hell  were  there,  he  was  over  them  in  the  power  of 
God,  and  feared  no  such  thing."  Tliis  is  similar 
to  an  answer  of  Martin  Luther  to  some  of  hi^ 
friends,  who  discouraged  him  from  going  to  a 
place  where  it  was  thought  his  enemies  would 
make  him  prisoner:  "  If  I  knew,"  says  he,  "  there 
were  as  many  devils  at  Worms,  as  there  are  tiles 
on  the  houses,  I  would  go."  Indeed,  there 
appears  to  have  been  a  considerable  similarity  of 
character  between  these  two  Reformers. 

The  time  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  approaching, 
George  Fox  and  his  companions  laid  their  case 
before   the  Justices  at  Bodmin,  who  gave  such 

it  was  observed,  few  who  went  in  did  ever  come  out  again 
in  health.  There  was  no  house  of  office  in  it,  and  the  ex- 
crements of  the  prisoners  had  not  been  carried  out,  as  we 
were  told,  for  many  years,  so  that  it  was  all  like  mire,  and 
io  some  places  to  the  top  of  the  shoes  in  water  and  urine ; 
and  the  jailer  would  not  let  us  cleanse  it,  or  have  any  straw 
to  lie  on.**  In  addition,  the  jailer  poured  the  excrements 
of  the  felons,  who  lay  over  this  place,  upon  George  Fox 
and  his  companions,  hecause  they  burnt  some  straw  to  cor- 
rect the  offensive  smell,  by  the  smoke  of  which  the  jaikr 
was  anooyed. 


■99 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


09 


orders,  as  considerably  improved  their  situation. 
The  prisoners  also  represented  tlieir  case  to  the 
Protector,  in  consequence  of  w  hich,  Captain  Keat 
and  his  kinsman,  who  struck  George  at  Falmouth, 
were  censured,  and  the  Captain's  relation  was  told, 
that  George  might  take  the  advantage  of  the  law, 
and  recover  damages  of  him ;  but  this,  as  usual, 
was  declined.  A  considerable  check  was,  by  this 
means,  put  to  the  persecuting  spirit  which  had  beea 
manifested ;  and  Friends  were  not  molested  for 
preaching  in  markets,  or  places  of  worship. 
Great  darkness  as  to  religion,  prevailed  in  these 
parts  at  this  time ;  but  through  the  sufferings  and 
labours  of  George  Fox  and  his  Friends,  "  the 
Lord's  light  and  truth  broke  forth,  and  many  were 
turned  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  Satan's 
power  to  God." 


During  his  confmement  hei*e,  various  circum- 
stances occurred,  which  afforded  occasion  for  the 
exercise  of  that  courage  and  presence  of  mind, 
which  were  remarkably  conspicuous  in  the  cha- 
racter of  George  Fox.  At  one  time,  whilst  one 
of  his  fellow-prisoners  was  admonishing  a  sol- 
dier, George  observed  the  soldier  beginning  to 
draw  his  sword ;  upon  which  he  stepped  up  to 
him,  and  represented  what  a  shame  it  was  for  a 
soldier  to  attempt  to  draw  his  sword,  upon  a  naked 
man  and  a  prisoner,  telling  him  how  unfit  he  ^vas 

1  2 


100 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


301  > 


I 


to  wear  such  a  weapon,  and  that  some  men  would 
have  taken  his  sword  from  him,  and  broken  it  in 
pieces.  The  soldier,  meeting  with  this  seasonable 
reproof,  was  so  ashamed,  that  he  immediately 
M'itiidrcw,  without  doing  any  injury,  -At  another 
time,  the  jailer  endeavoured  to  introduce  George 
to  a  man  who  was  committed  to  the  prison  for 
being  a  conjuror.  The  jailer's  view,  it  seems, 
ivas  for  the  conjuror  to  do  an  injury  to  George 
Fox  ;  but  he,  aware  of  the  jailer's  evil  disposi- 
tion, detected  the  man  twice  with  a  naked  knife  in 
liis  hand,  no  doubt  with  a  bad  desijjn.  George' 
re])roved  the  conjuror  so  severely,  that  he  was 
afterwards  afraid  to  come  near  him. 

Whilst  the  prisoners  were  confined  at  Launces- 
ton,  Edward  Pyott,  who  seems  to  have  been  well 
acquainted  with  the  law,  represented  their  case  at 
length  to  the  Chief  Ju5tice  Glyn,  in  which  he 
manifested  not  only  the  injustice,  but  the  illegality 
of  their  coniinement,  and  particularly  of  the 
Judge's  conduct,  when  they  were  brought  before 
lam  at  the  Assizes.  Tliis  does  not  however  appear 
to  have  procured  them  any  relief;  but  the  Lord, 
who  knew  the  integrity  of  their  hearts,  and  tlie 
innocency  of  their  cause,  was  with  them,  and  sup- 
ported them  in  their  sufferings,  which  were  thus 
made  easy  to  them,  and  opportunities  were  af- 
forded to  publish  his  name  and  truth  among  the 


people.  Several  of  the  townspeople  were  con- 
vinced, many  became  loving  to  them,  and  Friends 
and  others  from  distant  parts  came  to  visit  them. 
Among  these  was  the  wife  of  Judge  Hagget,  of 
Bristol,  who  was  convinced  with  several  of  her 
children.  Her  husband  also  became  very  kmd 
and  serviceable  to  Friends,  which  disposition  he 
continued  till  his  death. 

The  Mayor  of  Launceston  being  much  disposed 
to  take  up  and  imprison  Friends,  and  frequently  to 
examine  their  pockets,  &c.  for  any  thing  he  might 
find  to  criminate  them,  George  made  use  of  this  cir- 
cumstance to  convey  to  the  Mayor  an  account  of 
his  inhuman  and  unchristian  conduct.  He  drew  up 
the  account  in  writmg,  and  gave  k  to  a  young  man, 
whom  he  directed  to  go  a  back  way  out  of  the 
town,  and  return  through  the  gates,  where  it  seems 
the  Mayor  had  placed  watchmen,  to  examine 
those  who  were  suspected  to  be  Quakers.  Tlie 
young  man  was  carried  before  the  Mayor,  who 
searched  his  pockets,  and  found  the  letter ;  which, 
when  he  had  read  it,  miule  him  so  ashamed  of  hi» 
conduct,  that  he  seldom  afterwards  meddled  with. 
Friends. 

Although  George  Fox  and  his  companions 
were  contumed  in  prison  till  a  second  Assizes,  yet 
they  were  not  called  before  the  Judges  any  more  ; 

1  3 


'11 


lOG 


LIFE  OF  GEOIfGE  FOX. 


m% 


-iitf 


tliey  had,  however,  considerable  service  in  pro- 
moting the  cause  for  which  ihey  suffered,  during 
the  Assizes.  Among  others,  Thomas  Lower,  who 
afterwards  married  a  dauarhter  of  Judge  Fell, 
visited  them,  offering  them  money,  which  they  re- 
fused. George  Fox  was  concerned  to  speak  par- 
ticularly to  him,  and  he  afterwards  said,  that 
George's  words  were  as  a  flash  of  lightning,  they 
ran  so  through  him ;  with  more  to  the  same  purpose. 
He  was  not  only  himself  convinced,  but  returning 
home  among  his  relations,  and  informing  them 
what  he  had  met  with,  his  aunt  and  her  sister  went 
to  visit  the  prisoners,  and  were  also  convinced  by 
them. 


Whilst  George  Fox  was  in  prison  at  Lnunces- 
ton,  a  Friend  went  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  offered 
himself,  body  for  body,  in  his  stead.  The  Pro- 
tector was  struck  with  this  disinterested  act  of 
friendship,  and  said  to  those  about  him,  "  VMiich 
of  you  would  do  so  much  for  me,  if  1  were  in  the 
same  condition?"  He  did  not,  however,  think 
that  he  could  legally  accept  the  Friend's  offer ; 
but  some  time  after,  he  sent  Major  General  Des- 
borow  to  Cornwall,  with  an  intention  or  pretence 
to  set  them  at  liV'rty:  bat  the  Major  requiring 
such  c  )iii{itiou3  a^  they  could  not  comply  with, 
they  did  not  at  this  time  obtahi  their  liberty;  but 
General  Desboro  a  left  the  busiacss  in  the  hands  of 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


103 


Colonel  Bennett,  who  at  length  released  them, 
on  the  13th  of  7th  month,  1636,  having  been 
prisoners  above  six  months.  One  of  the  jailers 
who  had  treated  them  with  much  cruelty,  was  not 
only  turned  out  of  his  place  the  next  year,  but  also 
committed  to  the  same  filthy  jail,  where  he  was 
locked  in  irons,  beaten,  and  bid  to  remember  his 
former  wicked  conduct  to  the  Quakers ;  of  whom 
he  had  now  to  beg  relief.  He  died  in  prison;  and 
his  family  came  to  great  distress. 


CHAP.  VIII. 


IQ5S — Being  released,  he  visits  other  Places  in  Cornwall-'^ 
Passes  through  Launceston  into  Devon^^At  Exeter  Jinds 
James  Naylor  in  Prison,  in  a  darkened  State  ofMind'-^ 
Admonishes  him  and  his  Companions — Comes  to  Bristol, 
and  lias  two  large  Meetings^^Travels  to  London,  and 
•visits  Oliver  Cromwell — Travels  into  the  North  as  fan 
as  Yorkshire,  and  returns  to  London* 

After  George  Fox  and  his  friends  were 
liberated  from  this  imprisonment,  they  took  horses 
and  went  to  the  house  of  Humphrey  Lower,  and 
afterwards  to  Loveday  Hambley's.  At  both  these 
places  they  had  large  meetings,  at  which  many 
were  convinced  and  "  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus- 
Christ,  their  teacher."  After  this  a  general  meet- 
ing for  the  whole  county  was  held  at  Thomas 
Mounce's,  which,  being  too  large  for  any  of  the 
buildings,  was  held  in  the  orchard.  Friends  from 
other  counties  attended  the  meeting.  Here,  and 
in  several  other  parts  of  Cornwall,  there  were 
many  added  to  the  society ;  and  all  opposition  and 
persecution  seemed  for  awhile  to  be  removed. 

In  passing  out  of  Cornwall  into  Devon,  George 
Pox  and  his  companions  went  through  Launces- 
ton, where  they  visited  a  few  of  their  friends  who 
had  been  raised  up  there  during  their  confinement. 
Here  the  constable  followed  them  with  a  cheese 
which  he  had  takea  from  £dward  Pyott;  and  kept 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


105 


all  that  time  without  using  it ;  but  the  cheese  not 
being  wanted  by  the  Friends,  they  declined  ac- 
cepting it.  At  Okington,  or  Oakhampton,  they 
lodged  at  an  inn,  kept  by  the  Mayor  of  the  town, 
who  had  formerly  taken  up  several  Friends,  but 
was  now  very  civil  to  them.  These  circumstance* 
show  the  different  dispositions  tv  hich  now  seemed 
to  prevail,  even  among  their  persecutors ;  and  how, 
by  their  faithful  and  patient  suffering,  the  opposing 
spirit  was  not  only  restrained,  but  in  many  instances 
mollified  and  changed. 

A  fresh  source  of  trial  now  awaited  George  Fox, 
from  the  improper  conduct  of  one  of  his  own  Friends. 
It  was  abqut  this  time  that  James  Naylor  was  led 
into  many  extravagancies  of  imagination  and  self- 
exaltation.  George  Fox  met  with  him  at  Exeter, 
and  soon  saw  the  darkened  state  of  his  mind,  and 
of  those  who  accompanied  him ;  he  therefore  re- 
proved and  admonished  them;  but  at  that  time  his 
admonitions  were  slighted  ;  yet  afterwards,  wheu 
James  Naylor  saw  into  the  error  of  his  conduct, 
his  resisting  the  advice  of  George  Fox  became  "the 
cause  of  great  uneasiness  to  him.  .Indeed  he  af- 
terwards clearly  saw  how  exceedingly  he  had 
missed  his  way,  and  his  feeling  acknowledgments 
of  it,  place  his  disposition  and  character  in  an 
amiable  point  of  view. 

It  does  not  appear  that  any  mcteting  was  held  at 
Eiieter,  except  in  the  prison,  where  James  Naylor 


106 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX, 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX* 


lor 


ivas  confined,  at  which  a  corporal  was  convinced, 
who,  to  us€  George  Fox's  own  words,  "  remained 
a  very  good  Fnend."  He  had  several  other  meet- 
ings hereaway,  as  at  Collumpton,  Taunton,  Pud- 
dimore,  and  at  John  Dander's.  There  was  a 
great  convincement  in  these  parts,  and  "  many," 
he  observes,  "  were  turned  by  the  power  and 
Spirit  of  God  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  died 
for  them ;  and  they  came  to  sit  under  his  free 
teaching." 

George  Fox  now  came  to  the  house  of  his  fel- 
low-labourer and  fellow-prisoner,  Edward  Pyoti, 
near  Bristol.  .  The  report  of  his  coming  there 
soon  spread  through  the  city,  where,  the  next  day^ 
being  the  first  of  the  week,  he  had  two  large 
meetings.  At  the  latter,  which  was  held  in  au 
orchard,  Paul  Gwin,  a  Baptist,  attempted  to  stir 
up  the  people  to  rudeness,  and  addressed  them  ia 
this  manner  :  "  Ye  wise  men  of  Bristol,  I  strange 
at  you  that  you  will  stand  here,  and  hear  a  man 
speak  and  affirm  that  which  he  cannot  make  good.'* 
George  Fox  had  not  yet  spoken  at  all,  but  was. 
standing  silent  with  his  hat  off  on  a  stone,  on 
which  Friends  used  to  stand  when  they  spoke. 
This  gave  George  an  opportunity  of  exposing  the 
man's  character;  after  which  he  preached  to  the 
people  for  several  hours ;  and  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  meeting,  "  was  moved  to  pray  in  the  mighty 
power  of  God,  aud  the  Lord's  power  came  over 


all ;  a  blessed  day  it  was,  and  the  Lord  had  the 
praise." 

Leaving  Bristol,  he,  with  Edward  Pyott  and 
another  IViend,  travelled  towards  London,  having 
a  large  meeting  at  Slattenford,  (Slaughterford,  I 
suppose,)  and  another  at  the  house  of  Nathaniel 
Crips,  who  had  been  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
Wiltshire ;  at  which  it  was  supposed  between  two 
and  three  thousand  people  were  present.  From 
this  meeting  he  says  "  the  people  went  away  ge- 
nerally satisfied,  and  were  glad  that  they  were 
turned  to  Christ  Jesus,  their  teacher  and  saviour." 
They  had  also  meetings  at  Marlborough,  New- 
bury, Reading,  and  Kingston-upon-Thames,  all  of 
which,  it  appears,  were  quiet  and  uninterrupted  ; 
and  several  persons  were  convinced.  When  at  Marl* 
borough,  it  was  the  time  of  the  Sessions,  and  some 
of  the  Justices  were  preparing  to  issue  a  warrant 
to  apprehend  George  Fox  ;  but  a  Justice  Stooks 
prevented  it,  telling  them  that  he  had  held  a 
meeting  at  his  house  the  day  before,  at  which  se- 
veral thousands  were  present.  This  would,  no 
doubt,  be  accompanied  with  the  representation 
of  some  favourable  circumstances  which  satisfied 
tlie  other  Justices. 

As  George  Fox  came  to  London,  he  met  Oliver 
Cromwell  riding  in  his  coach  in  Hyde-Park,  ttd 


i 


\.\ 


loe 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


being  desirous  of  speaking  to  bim,  rode  to  the 
side  of  tbe  coacb,  which  some  of  the  life  guards 
endeavouring  to    prevent,    the  Protector  desired 
them  to  permit  him.     He  then  rode  by  tbe  side 
of  the  coacb,  and  spoke  to  the  Protector  respect- 
ing bis  spiritual  state;  George  also  represented 
the  sufferings  of   Friends  in  divers  parts  of  the 
nation ;  showing  the  inconsistency  of  persecution 
wiA  the  spirit  of  Christianity.     When  they  parted, 
the  Protector  desired  him  to  come  to  his  house; 
and  when   be   returned   to    Whitehall,   informed 
one  of  bis  wife's  attendants,  who  bad  been  con- 
vinced, that   George  Fox  was  come  to  London, 
and  she  tbe  next  day  visited  bim  at  bis  lodgings. 

During  their  continuance  in  London,  George 
J^ox  and  Edward  Pyott  went  to  W hitehall,  to  lay 
before  the  Protector  the  sufferings  of  their  friends. 
Tliey  found  Francis  Owen,  the  Vice-Chancellor  of 
Oxford,  with  him.  After  representing  their  friends' 
sufferings  to  the  Protector,  they  "  directed  him  to 
tbe  Light  of  Christ,  which  had  enlightened  every 
man  that  cometh  into  the  world."  This  produced 
Bome  controversy,  in  which  the  Protector  con- 
ducted himself  w  ith  an  unbecoming  levity,  though, 
it  ai>pears,  under  the  feeling  of  some  strong  con- 
victions. After  he  had  left  the  room,  George  Fox 
and  his  companions  withdrew  ;  and  as  they  were 
going  away,  they  met  w  ith  several  persons  belong- 


.ypE  ar  george  fox. 


lOb 


ing  to  the  court,  with  one  of  whom  they  entered 
into  some  controversy;  butG  eorge  finding  that  he  was 
an  officer  in  Northamptonshire,  who  bad  severely 
persecuted  Friends,  reproved  him  sharply  for  it, 
.upon  which  the  officer  was  glad  to  slip  away^ 
ashamed,  it  seems,  of  bis  miciuistian  conduct. 

After  visiting  Meetings  in  and  about  London, 
George  Fox  went  into  Buckinghamshire,  Edward 
Pyott  still  continuing  vvith  him.  They  bad  great 
meetings,  and  many  received  the  truth  in  tb^t 
county.  After  this,  George  passed  through  North- 
amptonshire and  Nottinghamshire,  into  Lincoln- 
shire, where  he  had  several  meetings,  at  one  of. 
which  the  W^rays,  who  are  mentioued  before,  were 
present.  After  this  meeting,  when  it  was  dark, 
"  a  company  of  wild  serving  men"  encompassed 
George,  with  a  design,  it  seems,  to  have  done 
him  mischief;  but  he,  with  his  usual  courage, 
spoke  to  them,  and  said,  "  What  are  ye  ?  High- 
waymen ?"  This  seemed  to  put  them  to  a  stand, 
and  soon  after,  some  Friends  and  others  coming; 
up,  George  reproved  the  men  for  their  rude  be- 
haviour, and  gave  them  some  serious  advice. 
*'  The  Lord's  power,  he  says,  came  over  them,  and 
stopped  their  mischievous  design.  Blessed  be  bis 
name  for  ever." 

From    Lincolnshire,   George   Fox    came  inW 
.HontiDgdoiislbire^     M  Huutingdan,  the  Mayer 


no 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


was  very  civil,  and  his  wife  received  tbe  truth. 
Coming  into   Cambridgeshire,  he  was  joined  by 
Alexander  Parker,  Amos   Stoddart,  and   Robert 
Craven  ;    the  last  had  been  Sheriff  of  Lincoln. 
They  had  many  meetings  in  the  county  of  Cam- 
bridge,  by    which  the  principles   of  truth    were 
spread  among  the  people.     At  Crowland,  in  Lin- 
colnshire, they  met  with  a  rude  reception  from  the 
priest  and  people,  many  of  whom  they  found  at 
an  inn,  almost  in  a  state  of  intoxication.     George 
reproved  them  for  their  immoral   conduct,  with 
which  the  priest  and  clerk  were  so  much  enraged, 
that  they  took  up  the  tire  shovel  and  poker,  and 
attempted  to  beat  the  Friends  with    them;    but 
were  not  permitted  to  do  them  any  material  injury. 
In  this  place  however  some  received  the  truth, 
which  was  also  the  case  at  Boston,  where  they  met 
with  a  different  reception,  the  people  appearing 
to  be   much  satisfied   with  their  ministry.     They 
had   many  large   meetings  in   those   parts,   after 
which  George  Fox  came  into  Yoi^tshire,  and  re- 
turned again  into  Lincolnshire,  going  afterwards 
into  Leicestershire,  Staffordshire,  Worcestershire, 
and  Warwickshire.     At  Edgehill,  he  had  sent  no* 
lice  of  a  meeting  about  three  weeks  before  he 
came  there.     It  was,  as  may  be  supposed,  very 
numerously  attended,  and  consisted  of  many  both, 
of  his  friends  and  enemies.     Of  this  meeting  he 
says,  "  The  Lord's  everlasting  truth  and  word  of 
life  reached  over  all ;  rude  and  unruly  spirits  ^yere 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


Ill 


chained  down  ;  and  many  that  day  were  turned 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  came  to  sit  under  his 
blessed  free  teaching,  and  to  be  fed  with  his  eternal 
heavenly  food." 

From  Edgehill  he  came  to  W^arwlck  and  Rag- 
ley;  after  which  he  went  into  Gloucestershire, 
and  returned  by  various  places,  as  Oxford,  Cirtn- 
tester,  and  Evesham,  to  London.  At  Oxford,  h« 
met  with  much  rudeness  from  the  students  ;  but  it 
does  not  appear  that  he  sustained  any  injury. 

He  had  now  travelled  over  the  greatest  part  of 
England,  in  the  exercise  of  his  gift,  as  a  gospel 
minister ;  arid  great  was  the  success  which  attended 
his  labours.  He  also  took  great  pains  to  remove 
objections  which  had  been  raised  against  him  and 
his  friends,  and  against  the  doctrhies  which  they 
preached.  In  reviewing  his  late  exercises  and  tra- 
vels, he  expresses  himself  thus ;  "  In  this  year,  1  God, 
the  Lord's  truth  was  finely  planted  over  the  nation, 
and  many  thousands  were  turned  to  the  Lord,  so 
that  there  were  seldom  fewer  than  one  thousand  in 
prison  in  this  nation,  for  truth's  testimony. 


K  ^ 


*-.»  ^  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


US 


CHAP.  IX. 

1656'^J.  —  j4t  London  wriics  rcriotis  Epistles,  tifH  iJsSf- 
the  Meetings  of  his  Friends. -^TrareU  into  Kent,  Sussex^ 
Surrey,  Hants,  ^c.  to  BristuL^^Visits  part  of  JVuies* 
— Learw  it  for  awhile,  but  soon  returns, ^-^QoeM  into 
Cheshire  and  lAtncashirC'^M  SvtaHhnort  stays  about 
-  tvo  vieeks.^^Tr axels  through  Westmoreland  and  Cum* 
berland,  towards  Scotlofid* 

?T  HILST  G^orge^  Fox  >^'as'in  London,  he' 
employed  aiuch  of  his  lime  in  writing  Epistle?, 
relating  to  the  state  of  the  Society  which  he  had 
been  ia§truiQeutal  in  gathering,  with  some  also  to 
it3  opponents.  In  these  epistles,  he  manifested 
the  extensiveness  of  his  mind,  by  embracing  the 
various  circumstances  connected  with  the  preser- 
vation of  the  society  in  unity  and  peace,  and  in  the 
discharge  of  its  religious  duties.  He  also  effectually 
repelled  the  attacks  of  those  who  were  opposing 
its  principles,  which  he  laboured  much  to  explain 
and  defend. 

Having  discharged  various  services  in  and  about 
London,  he   travelled  mto  Kent,   Sussex,  Surrey, 
and  Hants,  "  visiting  Friends."     From  the  use  of 
this  expression  about  thia  time,  it  seems  the  direc- 
tion of  his  services  was  in  soine  degree  altered, 
which  was  indeed  a  necessary  cousecjuence  of  the 


success  of  his  former  labours.  He  had  not  now, 
as  formerly,  to  travel  wholly  among  strangers  to 
him,  and,  in  a  great  measure,  to  his  doctrine ;  but 
he  began  thus  early  to  reap  the  fruit  of  his  faithful 
labours  and  patient  sufferings.  It  was  now  near 
the  close  of  the  year  1656,  a  very  short  time  since 
the  commencement  of  his  public  ministry ;  and 
we  have  already  seen  that  a  society  of  many  thou- 
sands had  been  formed.  He  had,  no  doubt,  many 
fellow  labourers,  who  greatly  promoted  the  same 
good  work.  Great  indeed  was  the  success  which 
attended  their  labours,  and  thus  it  has  frequently 
pleased  Divine  Providence  to  produce  <Treat 
changes  in  the  religious  world,  to  the  revival  of 
gospel  truth,  and  the  spreading  of  gospel  licrht. 
In  contemplating  these  circumstances,  though 
human  means  are  used,  we  do  not  find  that  human 
power  or  exertions  can,  at  their  pleasure,  effect  it. 
We  may  therefore  say  ;  "  This  is  the  Lord's 
doing,  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes." 

In  travelling  through  the  counties  above-meiv 
tioned,  George  Fox  and  his  companions  met  with 
some  rude  treatment  at  different  places,  particu- 
larly at  Farnham  and  Basingstoke.  Coming  to 
Bridport,  in  Dorsetshire,  a  design  was  formed  to 
apprehend  him  ;  but  it  did  not  succeed.  Several 
were  convinced  iu  this  place,  and  a  Meeting 
settled.    At  Portsmouth,  Pool,  and  Rinjjwood,  He 

K  o 


f 


•I' 


fU 


tlFE  OF  CEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEOHGi;   tOX. 


Uo 


had  large  and  favoured  meetings,  "  and  many  werd 
turned  to  tlie  Lord."  After  having  a  meeting  at 
Weymouth,  they  came  through  Dorchester  to 
Lyme,  where  the  inn  was  so  much  occupied  with 
a  company  of  mountebanks,  that  it  was  with  diffi- 
culty they  could  obtain  accommodation.  At  this 
place,  some  of  the  people  were  effectually  reached, 
and  turned,  "by  the  light  and  spirit  of  Christ,  tohijr 
free  teaching.*' 

After  travelling  in  those  parts,  they  came  to 
Exeter,  and  at  an  inn  called  the  Seven  Stars,  a 
general  meeting  was  held  of  Friends  out  of  Corn- 
wall and  Devon.  Of  this  meeting  George  Fox 
writes  thus :  '^  A  blessed  heavenly  meeting  we  had, 
and  the  Lord's  everlasting  power  came  over  all, 
in  which  I  saw  and  said,  that  the  Lord's  power 
bad  surrounded  this  nation  as  with  a  wall  and  bul- 
wark, and  his  seed  reached  from  sea  to  sea.'' 

The  day  after  this  meeting,  some  soldiers  wer*' 
sent  to  apprehend  George  Fox;  but  before  they 
had  opportunity,  he  had  left  Exeter,  from  which 
place  he  came  to  Bristol,  and  thence  went  into 
"Wales,  and  had  a  meeting  at  the  Slone.  Coming 
to  Cardiff,  he  and  his  companions  received  much 
kindness  from  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  next- 
day  they  had  a  meeting  at  the  Town-Hall,  to 
which  seventeen  of  the  Justice's  famiJ-y  came. 
Though  some  who  attended  this  meeiing  eiidea-- 


voured  at  first  to  cause  disturbance,  vet  he  ob- 
serves,  respecting  it,  that  "  many  were  turned  to 
the  Lord." 

From  Cardiff  they  came  to  Swansea,  where  a 
meeting  was  now  established.  In  various  other 
parts  of  South  Wales  they  had  meetings,  till  they 
came  to  Brecknock.  Here  they  met  with  much 
rude  treatment,  and  were  in  considerable  danger ; 
but  were  preserved  from  suffering  any  material 
injury.  Tliomas  Holmes  and  John  ap  John  were 
now  George  Fox's  companions ;  the  latter,  it 
seems,  had  gone  into  the  streets  at  Brecknock,  to 
preach  to  the  people,  which  caused  a  great  dis- 
turbance and  much  rudeness.  George  Fox  wrote 
a  paper  to  the  inhabitants,  and  also  personolly  re- 
proved them,  as  he  left  the  town,  for  their  un- 
christian conduct.  Going  into  the  country,  they 
had  a  meeting  in  a  public  burying  ground,  which, 
was  very  largely  attended  :  *'  Many  were  con- 
vinced and  settled  in  the  truth  that  day."  After 
the  meeting,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  said  to  Geor<ye 
Fox,  "  You  have  this  day  given  great  satisfaction 
to  the  people,  and  answered  all  the  objections  that 
were  in  their  minds."  At  Pont-y-moyle  they  had 
another  large  meeting,  which  was  attended  by 
many  persons  of  consequence  in  the  neighbour- 
hood. Here  again  many  were  convinced,  and  "a 
large  meeting  gathered  and  settled  in  the  name  of 
Jesus," 


I 


116 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  F0..» 


Leaving  Wales  for  a  time,  they  came  to  Sbrews- 
hury,  where  they  had  a  large  meeting,  and  another 
at  William  Gandy's,  in  Cheshire.  At  the  last 
meeting  between  two  and  three  thousand  people 
"Were  supposed  to  be  present.  "  A  blessed  meet- 
ing it  was;  for  Friends  were  settled  by  the  power 
of  God,  upon  Jesus  Christ,  the  rock  and  foun- 
dation." 

About  this  time  there  was  a  jrreat  drou^^ht  in 
the  nation,  on  which  account  the  Protector  issued 
a  proclamation  for  a  general  fast.  George  Fox 
was  concerned  on  this  occasion  to  publish  a  paper 
on  the  subject  of  fasts;  he  also  addressed  one  to 
the  Protector,  in  which  he  told  him,  "  If  he  had 
come  to  own  God's  truth,  he  should  have  had 
rain;  and  that  drought  was  to  them  a  sign  of  their 
barrenness,  and  want  of  the  water  of  lite.'* 

George  Fox  and  his  companions  now  came 
again  into  Wales,  and  passed  through  Montgomery- 
shire into  Radnorshire.  In  one  place  in  this  county 
they  had  a  remarkably  large  meeting.  George  did 
not  go  into  it  at  first,  but  desired  John  ap  John 
to  go,  and  if  he  had  any  thing  to  communicate  to 
the  people,  to  speak  in  Welch,  by  which  more 
people  might  be  collected.  When  the  meeting 
was  gathered,  a  person  of  the  name  of  Morgan 
W  atkins  came  to  George,  and  said  to  him :  ''JTjie 


i! 


LIFE  OF  GEOnCE  FOX*. 


117 


pleople  lie  like  a  leaguer,*  and  the  gentry  of  the 
country  is  come  in."  After  a  little  time  Georjre 
went  into  ihc^  meeting,  which  was  in  the  open  air, 
and  standing  upon  a  chair,  for  awhile  in  silence, 
he  afterwards  preached  for  about  two  hours  to  the 
people.  "  The  scriptures  were  opened  to  them; 
they  were  directed  to  the  light  of  Christ,  that  by 
it  they  might  sec  their  sins,  and  Christ  Jesus  to  be 
their  Sa\iour,  their  Redeemer,  their  Mediator  ; 
and  come  to  feed  on  him,  the  Bread  of  Life,  from 
heaven.  Many  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  his  free  teaching,  that  day;  and  all 
were  bowed  down  under  the  power  of  God; 
though  the  nmltitude  was  so  great,  that  many  sat 
on  horseback  to  hear,  there  was  no  opposition." 

After  this  meeting,  George  Fox  came  to  Leo- 
minster, in  Herefordshire,  having  Thomas  Taylor 
with  him.  Here  again  he  had  a  large  meeting  in 
a  field,  at  which  several  congregational  preachers 
attended.  George's  mind  was  much  enlarged  in 
preaching  the  gosped  to  the  people.  The  Priest 
of  Leominster  made  some  opposition  to  his  doc- 
trine, which  produced  a  controversy,  in  which  the 
Priest  not  succeeding,  endeavoured  to  prevail  ou 
the  Magistrates  to  arrest  George,  but  in  vain. 
This  meeting  was  of  great  service  in  those  parts. 
"  The  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  the  everlasting 


I 


« 


Bailey  explains  this  word— A  sit'ge  laid  to  a  town. 


118 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


119 


truth  was  declared  that  day,  and  many  were  turned 
by  it  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  teacher  and 
Yiay  to  God." 

Travelling  through  South  Wales,  he  came  to 
Tenby,  in  Pembrokeshire,  and  as  he  entered  the 
town,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  invited  him  to  his 
house.  George  accepted  the  invitation.  On  the 
first  day  of  the  week  he  had  a  meeting,  which  was 
attended  by  the  Mayor  and  his  wife,  and  others  of 
the  principal  inhabitants.  Whilst  George  Fox 
uas  engaged  in  this  meeting,  his  companion,  John 
ap  John,  went  to  the  public  place  of  worship, 
where  Le  was  taken,  and  by  the  Governor  com- 
mitted t'  prison.  This  endangered  George's 
safety,  for  he  was  the  next  morning  sent  for  by 
the  Governor;  the  Mayor  and  Justice  went  be- 
fore him,  hoping,  it  seems,  to  moderate  the  Go- 
vernor's mind.  When  George  entered  the  Gover- 
nor's habitation,  he  said,  "  Peace  be  to  this 
house,"  and  afterwards  asked  the  Governor  why 
he  cast  his  friend  into  prison.  To  which  he  re- 
plied, **  For  standing  with  his  hat  on  in  the 
church."  On  this  George  said,  "  Had  not  the 
Priest  two  caps  on  his  head,  a  black  one  and  a 
white  one  ?  Cut  off  the  brims  of  the  hat,  and  then 
my  friend  will  have  but  one,  the  brims  were  but 
to  defend  him  from  weather."  "  These  are  fri- 
volous things,"  said  the  Governor.  "  Why,  then," 
replied   George,"   "  dost   thou    cast   my    friend 


iiito  prison  for  such  frivolous  things.'*  After 
this  they  had  some  conversation  on  election  and 
reprobation.  The  Governor  then  became  mo- 
derate, and  they  parted  friendly ;  John  ap  John 
being  soon  after  released.  Returning  to  the  Jus- 
tice's hospitable  mansion,  he  and  the  Mayor,  with 
their  wives  and  several  others,  accompanied  George 
and  his  companions  to  the  waterside,  where  they 
parted,  George  being  first  engaged  to  "  kneel 
down  with  them,  and  to  pray  to  the  Lord  God  to 
preserve  them." 

From  Tenby  they  came  to  Pembroke  and  Ha- 
verfordwest, at  both  which  places  they  had  reli- 
gious service ;  and  a  Meeting  was  settled  at  the 
latter.  Whilst  tiiey  w^ere  at  Haverfordwest,  there 
•was  a  fair,  by  which  many  people  were  collected. 
George  and  his  companion  "  passed  through  the 
fair,  «nd  sounded  tiie  day  of  the  Lord,  and  his 
everlasting  truth  amongst  them."  They  now  pro- 
ceeded towards  North  Wales,  and,  at  various 
places,  met  with  much  rude  treatment ;  their 
borses  also  being  repeatedly  robbed  of  their 
corn.  On  this  subject,  George  exclaims,  "  A 
wicked,  thievish  people,  to  rob  the  poor  dumb 
creature  of  his  food!  I  had  rather  they  had  robbed 
me."  He  and  his  companions  laboured  in  gospel 
love  amongst  these  rude  people,  and  had  some  service 
amongst  them.  In  the  course  of  their  travels, 
they  came  to  a  very  high  hill,  (Cader  Idris,  1  sup- 


I 


IQO 


•AIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


pose,)  from  uhich  there  is  an  extensive  prospect, 
iHere  George  took  a  view  of  tlie  surrounding  coun- 
try, and  "  told  Jojiu  ap  John,  a  faithful  Welch 
minister,  iii  what  places  God  would  raise  up  a 
people  to  himself,  to  sit  wider  his  own  teaching." 
This  his  companion  noticed,  and  afterwards  foiui4 
the  eveiit  to  verify  the  prediction.  Desce»dii>g 
from  this  hill,  they  came  to  DoIgelJe,  where  John 
,ap  John  preached  in  Welch  to  the  people,  in  the 
streets.  This  brought  on  a  dispute,  in  V\  eldb, 
with  two  Independent  Priests ;  on  which  George 
Fox  requested  them  to  speak  in  English,  and  he 
then  took  a  part  in  it.  The  priests  asserted  that 
the  light  which  John  tlie  Baptist  came  to  bear 
witness  to,  was  a  created  natural  light.  This  gave 
George  an  opportunity  to  e^Lplain  the  subject  at 
large ;  after  which,  his  companion  interpreted  it 
to  the  people,  many  of  whom  did  not  understand 
the  English  language.  The  priests  were  silenced, 
and  the  people  in  general  well  satistied ;  which 
they  afterwards  expressed  when  the  Friends  left 
the  town.  Here  George  says  :  "  A  precious  seed 
the  Lord  hath  thereaway,  and  a  great  people  in 
those  parts  is  since  gathered  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  sit  under  his  free  teaching;  and  they 
have  suffered  much  for  him." 


Leaving  Dolgelle,  they  came  to  Caernarvon 
mnd  Beaumaris,  where  they  were  exercised  in  gos^ 
pel  labour  amongst  the  people ;  and  at  the  lattlc 


iLIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


1^1 


place,  John  ap  John  was  imprisoned  a  few  hours. 
In  crossing  a  water  near  Beaumaris,  they  met  with 
interruption  from  some  persons  who  called  them- 
selves gentlemen,  and  who  endeavoured  to  prevent 
John  ap  John's  getting  into  the  boat  with  his  horse. 
This  induced  George  to  ride  to  the  side  of  tli€ 
boat ;  and  after  reprov  ing  the  young  men,  he 
leaped  his  horse  into  it,  expecting  his  companion's 
w  ould  have  followed ;  but  this  not  being  the  case, 
on  account  of  the  depth  of  the  water,  George 
leaped  his  horse  out  again,  and  staid  with  John  ap 
John  till  the  boat  returned.  Here  they  were  de- 
tained till  afternoon,  and  had  forty-two  uiiles  to  ride 
that  evening.  After  they  had  crossed  the  water  and 
paid  their  passage,  they  found  that  they  had  but 
one  groat  in  money  left  between  them.  This  in- 
duced them  to  travel  all  night,  and  eai)y  iu  the 
morning  they  came  to  a  place  within  a  ft  a  miles 
of  Wrexham ;  where,  that  day,  they  met  with  ;; -^ny 
Friends,  and  "had  a  glorious  meeting,  the  Lu:  '*s 
everlasting  power  and  truth  being  over  ail."  Here 
they  were  refreshed  in  body  and  mind,  for  iliey 
had  undergone  great  fatigue  in  travelling  through 
Wales  ;  finding  it  difficult,  in  many  places,  to  pro- 
cure refreshment  for  themselves  or  their  horses. 
After  travelling  in  Flintshire,  they  came  to  Wrex- 
ham, where  they  met  with  many  of  what  George 
calls  "  Floyds  People,"  a  relio;ious  society,  I  sup- 
pose,    lliey  were  very  rude  and  light   iu  their 


I 


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LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


123 


behaviour ;  but  they  met  with  suitable  reproof. 
Some  persons  were  however  convinced  in  this 
town.  In  reviewing  his  religious  services  in  the 
IVincipahly  of  Wales,  George  Fox  observes,  that 
he  **  had  travelled  through  every  county  in  VV  ales, 
preaching  the  everlasting  gospel  of  Christ ;  and  a 
brave  people  there  is  now,  who  have  leceived  it, 
and  sit  under  Christ's  teaching."* 

Leaving  Wales,  they  came  to  Chester,  called  at 
that  time  West  Chester,  ilere  they  staid  awhile, 
and  visited  Friends,  several  of  whom,  it  is  likely, 
\('ould  be  tliere  from  distant  parts ;  it  being  the 
time  of  the  fair,  which  is  more  a  commercial  than 
an  agricultural  one.  From  this  place  they  came 
to  Liverpool,  where  there  was  also  a  fair,  in  which 
they  found  a  Friend  preaching  at  the  Cross.  He 
seeing  George  Fox,  and  knowing  that  he  had  ap- 
pointed a  meeting  on  a  hill  near  the  town,  gave 
public  notice  of  it.  The  meeting  was  accordingly 
held  next  day,  and,  as  may  be  supposed,  was  very 
numerously  attended.  Some  rudeness  for  awhile 
took  place ;  but  afterwards  the  people  became 
quiet.  "  The  truth  of  God  was  preached  among 
them ;  many  were  that  day  settled  upon  the  rock 
and  foundation,  Christ  Jesus,  and  under  his  teach- 
ing who  made  peace  betwixt  God  and  them." 

*  It  may  uot  be  iropropcr  to  observe,  that  many  of  those 
"wlio  were  convinced  in  Wales,  afterwards  emigrated  to 
Pennsylvania ;  as  did  Friends  in  many  otlier  parts  of  Bri- 
tain. This  circumstance  has  greatly  tended  to  lessen  tfje 
number  of  Friends  in  this  country. 


After  leaving  Liverpool,  they  travelled  towards 
Manchester,  having  a  meeting  on  the  way,  at  a 
town  where   the   Bailiff  attended  with  his  sword, 
and  was  very  rude;  but  no  injury  ensued.     When 
they  came  to  ^lanchester,  it  was  the  time  of  the 
Sessions,  which  caused  many  rude  people  to  be 
collected.     This,   however,   did  not   discourage 
Georsre  from  holding  a  religious  meeting,  in  which 
he  was   much   abused   by   the   people  throwing 
atones,  dirt,  and  water  at  him  ;  and  when  they 
could  not  prevail  by  this  means,  they  applied  to 
the  Justices,  who  sent  officers  to  bring  him  before 
them.      When  George   came   to  the    Court,   he 
found  it  in .  such  confusion  and  disorder,  that  he 
remonstrated  with  the  Magistrates,  both  on  this 
accoutit,  and  on  the  treatment  which  he  had  met 
with.     The  Justices  behaved  with   great  moderai 
tion,  putting  him  under  the  care  of  the  constable 
till  next  morning,  when  he  was  liberated.     The 
disturbance  at  this  place  appears  to  have  been 
occasioned  by  people,  who  made  high  profession 
of  religion  ;  for  he  observes,  "  The  Lord  has  since 
raised  up  a  people  to  stand  for  his  name  and  truth 
in  that  town,  over  those  chaffy  professors." 

From  Manchester  he  travelled  by  Preston 
and  Lancaster,  to  Swarthmore,  having  meet- 
ings at  various  places.  At  Lancaster  he  met 
Mith  his  frieud  Colonel  West,  who  was  pleased 

T     ^ 


M 


I 


124 


XtFE    OF    GEORGE   POX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


n5 


to  see  him,  and  told  Judge  Fell,  that  George 
**  was  mightily  grown  in  the  truth."  On  this  he 
remarks,  that  the  Colonel  "  was  come  nearer  the 
truth^  and  so  could  better  discern  it."  Before 
they  came  to  Swartlimore,  they  had  a  general 
meeting  of  Friends  in  Westmoreland  and  Lanca- 
shire, which  it  seems  was  also  attended  by  other 
people ;  for  he  not  only  observes  that  "  Friends, 
were  settled  upon  the  foundation  Christ  Jesus  ;•' 
but  adds,  that  *^  many  were  convinced  and  turned 
to  the  Lord."  The  day  after  this  meeting,  he 
came  to  Swarthmore,  where  he  met  with  a  cordial 
reception.  "  They  rejoiced  with  me,"  he  says,  "  in 
the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  who,  by  his  eternal 
power,  had  carried  me  through  and  over  many  dif- 
ficulties and  dangers  in  his  service :  to  him  be  the 
praise  for  ever." 

It  might  seem  necessary  for  this  indefatigable 
kbourer  now  to  rest  awhile,  after  his  hard  tra- 
velling: but  he  did  not  continue  at  Swarthmore 
quite  two  weeks,  and,  during  this  time,  he  visited 
some  Meetings  ia  the  neighbourhood,  and  wrote 
several  epistles  for  public  use  :  two  of  them  to  his 
Friends,  and  one  to  their  persecutors.  From 
Swarthmore  he  passed  into  Westmoreland,  and 
came  to  John  Audland's;  where  a  general  meeting 
was  held,  in  which  a  person  attempted,  with  a 
drawn  sword,  to  press  through  the  crowd,  with  aa 
intention  to  injure  George  Fox  j  but  the  people 


stood  so  close,  that  he  could  not  accomplisli  his 
wicked  design.  "  The  meeting  ended  peaceably  and 
the  Lord's  everlasting  power  came  over  all."  From 
this  place  he  passed  through  Kendall,  where  a 
constable  had  a  warrant  to  apprehend  him,  and, 
on  seeing  George  on  horseback,  went  to  fetch 
it ;  but  was  prevented  executing  it  by  his  not 
stopping  in  the  town.  He  now  travelled  north- 
ward, and,  at  Stricklandliead,  had  a  large  and 
quiet  meeting,  though  there  were  races  at  that 
time  very  near  the  meeting  place.  George  went 
afterwards  to  the  race-ground,  and  preached  to  the 
people  there ;  from  w  iiom  it  does  not  appear  that 
he  met  with  any  interruption. 

After  he  had  finished  his  services  in  Westmore- 
land, he  came  into  Cinnberland;  and  having  a 
meeting  in  Giisland,  ct»me  to  Carlittle.  At  this 
place  it  w  as  usual  to  [>ut  Friends  out  of  the  town, 
w  hen  they  came  there ;  but  a  great  flood  occurring 
just  at  this  time,  prevented  the  Magistrates  from 
executing  their  malevolent  purpose;  and  a  meet- 
ing was  held  on  first  day.  From  this  place  he 
came  to  Abbeyholm,  w  here  he  had  a  small  meeting. 
When  at  this  place  before,  he  had  foretold  that 
"  there  would  be  a  great  people  come  forth  to  the 
Lord;  which  hath  since  come  to  pass."  From 
this  place  he  came  to  Langlands,  where  was  a 
general  meeting,  which  was  very  laige,  most  of 

L  3 


i 


4 


12G 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


the  people  having  forsaken  the  Priests ;  so  that 
*iany  of  the  public  places  of  worship  were  nearly 
empty.  At  Pardshaw  Cragg,  John  Wilkinson, 
who  has  been  mentioned  before,  attended  the  meet- 
ing, with  three  or  four  of  his  followers;  and  were  all 
convinced.  He  was  a  Priest,  and  preached  at  three 
places ;  but  his  heajers  had  chiefly  joined  Friends. 
Of  him  George  says,  that  "  he  became  an  able 
minister,  preached  the  gospel  freely,  and  turned 
many  to  Chiist'b  free  teaching." 


CHAP.  X. 

lS57-S^Visits  Scotland^Keturns  through  Norfhumh^r' 
land,  Durham,  Yorkshire,  Src.  towards  London, — A 
General  Yearly  Mating  held  in  Bedfordshire — /» 
London  disputes  with  a  Jesuit — Advises  Oliver  Crom- 
urll  against  accepting  the  Title  of  King — Writes  to  his 
Daughter  Claypok, 

OEORGE  fox  having  now  visited  all  parts 
of  England  and  Wale»,  and  some  of  them  repeat- 
edly, turned  his  attention  to  Scotland;  to  which  he 
had  felt  his  mind  drawn  for  a  considerable  time 
past.   Previously  to  his  going,  he  requested  Colonel 
"NVilliamC  )sburn,  who  lived  in  Scotland,  to  meet  him  ; 
and  he,  with  a  few  others,  came  to  the  meeting  at 
PardshawCragg.  1  he  Colonel  accompanied  George 
in  his  visit  to  Scotland,  as  did  also  Robert  Widders, 
whom  he  calls  **  a  thundering  man  against  hy- 
pocrisy, deceit,  and  the  rottenness  of  the  Priests." 
lliese  qualities  were,  perhaps,  never  more  evident 
among  the  ruling  powers  in  church  and  state  than 
at  that  time.     They  had  been  making  a  great  out- 
cry for  liberty  of  every  kind;  but  no  sooner  did 
they    acquire    power,    than    they   exercised    the 
greatest  bitterness,  and  manifested  as  little  regard 
for  liberty,,  as  any  that  had  preceded  them^    Their 
avarice  also  was^  very  great ;   for  though  tithe* 
-were  om  ot  the  prmcipal  subjects  of  their  (^Mtt- 


I 


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128 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


129 


plaints  against  the  Episcopal  Church,  they  no 
sooner  acquired  power,  than  they  appropriated 
them  to  their  own  clergy,  to  the  great  dissatisfaction 
and  disappointment  of  many  of  their  supporters, 
Many  also  of  the  Episcopalians  had  joined  the 
Independents,  in  order  to  keep  their  church  liv- 
ings, lliese  observations  are  made  to  account 
for  the  strong  expressions  used  by  George  Fox 
and  our  early  Friends,  respecting  the  Priests  and 
many  other  religious  professors  in  those  times ; 
who,  notwithstanding  their  superior  pretences, 
were  lamentably  deficient  in  those  qualities,  which 
our  blessed  Redeemer,  in  his  sermon  on  the 
Mount,  and  on  other  occasions,  has  particularly 
marked  with  his  approbation. 

George  Fox  and  his  companions  now  entered 
Scotland,  and  the  lirst  night  lodged  at  an  inn. 
In  the  evening  they  visited  a  noblemkn  who  lived 
in  the  neighbourhood,  and  had  expressed  to  the 
landlord  a  desire  to  see  George,  when  he  came 
that  way.  He  received  them  very  lovingly,  and 
said  that  he  would  have  accompanied  them  on 
their  journey,  had  he  not  been  engaged  to  attend 
a  funeral.  The  next  day  they  passed  through 
Dumfries  to  Douglas,  where  they  found  some 
Friends.  They  afterwards  went  to  the  Heads, 
supposed  to  be  near  Glasgow,  where  they  "had  a 
blessed  meeting  in  the  name  of  Jesus;  and  felt  him 


in  the  midst."  From  the  Heads  they  came  to 
Badcow,  where  they  had  a  large  meeting;  and 
thence  towards  the  Highlands,  stopping  in  their 
way  at  the  house  of  Wdliam  Osburn.  Here  they 
collected  an  account  of  Friends'  sufferings,  and 
the  principles  of  the  Scotch  Priests ;  and  afterwards 
(probably  when  they  came  to  Edinburgh)  published 
them  in  a  book,  entitled,  "  The  Scotch  Priests* 
Principles."  It  does  not  appear  that  they  now 
went  far  into  the  Highlands,  but  soon  returned 
to  Heads,  Badcow,  and  Garshore.  When  in  this 
part  before,  a  Lady  Margaret  Hamilton  was  con- 
vinced, who  probably  lived  at  Garshore.  She 
"  afterwards  went  (to  London,  I  suppose)  to  warn 
Oliver  Cromwell  and  Charles  Fleetwood,  of  the 
day  of  the  Lord  that  was  coming  upon  them.'* 

On  first  day,  George  Fox  and  his  companions 
had  a  large  meeting  at  or  near  Garshore,  in  which 
he  treated  largely  on  the  doctrine  of  Election 
and  Reprobation,  opposing  those  Calvinistical 
principles  of  the  Priests,  who  told  the  people,  that 
"  God  had  ordained  the  greatest  part  of  men  and 
women  for  hell;  that  let  them  do  v\hat  they  could, 
it  was  all  to  no  purpose,  if  they  were  ordained  to 
hell,  lliat  God  had  a  certain  number  elected  for 
heaven,  and  let  them  do  what  they  would,  yet  they 
were  elected  vessels  for  heaven."  These  princi- 
ples George  Fox  manifested  to  be  inconsistent 


i 


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131 


ISO 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


with  the  scriptures,  which  he  explained  largely. 
"  'Hie  eyes  of  the  people,"  he  observes,  "  were 
opened,  and  a  spring  of  life  rose  up  amongst 
tlieni."  Tiie  Priests,  however,  were  much  alarm- 
ed, when  they  heard  of  George  Fox  being  come 
into  Scotland ;  and  proceeded  so  far  as  to  draw  up 
a  number  of  curses,  by  which  they  intended  to 
oppose  the  principles  of  Friends ;  and  when  thi« 
could  not  answer  their  purpose,  they  went  to  Edin- 
burgh, Tvith  petitions  to  the  council  there. 
George,  who  seems  never  to  have  shrunk  from 
danger,  where  his  duty  led  hinii  came  there 
soon  after,  lodging  at  Linlithgow  in  his  way,  where 
the  innkeeper's  wife,  a  blind  woman,  "  received  the 
Word  of  Life,  and  came  under  tlie  teaching  of 
Christ  Jesus  her  Saviour." 

Being  now  come  to  Edinburgh,  and  William 
Osburn  with  him,  they  continued  there  some  time ; 
and  went  down  to  Leilh,  where  they  had  a  meeting, 
which  was  attended  by  many  of  the  officers  and 
their  wives.  Some  disturbance  was  made  by  the 
Baptists,  and  also  by  others  who  seemed  to  be  of 
atheistical  notions ;  but  they  were  all  confounded, 
and  left  the  meeting.  Afterwards,  George  says, 
"  a  fine  precious  time  we  iiad  with  several  people 
of  account ;  and  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all." 
Several  of  the  officers  and  of  their  wives  were  con- 
Tinced ;  among  whom  was  the  >vife  of  Edw  ard 


Billing;  who  had  lived  separate  from  her  husband, 
on  which  account  George  sent  for  him,  and  pro- 
duced a  reconciliation  between  them  ;  so  tliat  they 
**  agreed  to  live  together  iu  love  and  unity,  as  man 
and  wife." 

When  George  and  his  companion  returned  to 
Edinburgh,  they  found  several  thousands  of  people, 
among  whom  were  many  priests,  collected,  on 
account  of  the  burning  of  a  witch.  Tliis  circum- 
stance gave  him  an  opportunity  of  preaching  to 
this  large  multitude;  after  which  he  went  to  a 
meeting  of  his  own  appointing.  To  this  meeting 
many  rude  people,  and  some  disputing  Baptists, 
came,  who  for  awhile  caused  a  disturbance,  but 
being  silenced,  and  leaving  the  place,  a  very  satis- 
factory meeting  was  afterwards  held.  In  return- 
ing from  this  meeting,  he  found  that  tlie  Scotch 
priests  had  succeeded  in  their  application  to  the 
^lagistrates  of  Edinburgh,  from  whom  he  received 
an  order,  dated  the  8th  of  October,  1 60  7,  to  ap- 
pear before  them  on  the  13th  of  the  same  month. 
George  obeyed  the  summons  of  the  Magistrates ; 
but  before  he  was  conducted  into  the  Council 
Chamber,  his  hat  was  taken  off,  which  caused  a 
short  remonstrance,  in  which  he  informed  the 
doorkeeper,  that  he  had  been  suffered  to  stand 
before  the  Protector  with  his  hat  on.  After  he 
had  been  awhile  before  the  Magistrates,  he  ad* 


n 


132 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


dressed  them  in  these  words;  "Peace  be  amongst 
you.     Wait  in  the  fear  of  God,  that  ye   may  re- 
ceive his  wisdom  from  above,  by  which  all  things 
were  made  and  created  ;  that  by   it  ye  may  all  be 
ordered,  and  may   order  all  things   under    your 
hands,  to  God's  glory."     After  this  address,  the 
!M  agistrates  inquired  into  the  cause  of  his  coming 
to  Scotland;  whether  he  had  any   outward  busi- 
ness there,  and  how  long   he  intended  to  stay  ; 
to  which  George  gave  diem  proper  replies,  inforni- 
'm»  them  of  the  nature  of  his  visit  to  that  country, 
and  that  though  he  was  not  likely  to  stay  long  m 
it,  yet  in  this  he  stood  in  the  will  of  him  that  sent 
him.     Having  withdrawn  awhile  till   the  Magis- 
trates consulted   together,  he  was   again   brought 
before  them,  and  ordered  to  leave  the  country  in 
a  week   from  that  time.     Ke  remonstrated  with 
them  on  their  illegal   conduct,   but  in   vain ;  and 
they  even  refused  to  hear  him  in  his  own  defence ; 
on  which  he  reminded  them,  that  Pharoah,  though 
a  Heathen,  heard  Moses   and  Aaron;   and  Herod 
heard  John  the  Baptist.  When  he  was  taken  away 
from  the  conned  chamber,  he  returned  to  his  inn, 
where  he  wrote   to  the  council,  and  laid  before 
them  their  unchristian   conduct,   in  banishing   an 
innocent  man,  who  sought  their  salvation  and  eter- 
nal  good.     The  letter  seems  to  have  had  a   good 
effect  on  some  of  the  Magistrates;  to  whom  tlie 
measure  they  had  meted  out  was  soon  after  le- 


»LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


133 


turned ;  and  they  that  had  banished  him,  were  soon 
rafter  banished  themselves,  or  glad  to  get  out  of 
the  way. 

^Notwithstanding  the  illegal  and  unjust  order  of 
the  council,  George  Fox  continued  some  time  at 
Edinburgh  and  its  neighbourhood ;  after  which  he 
went  again  to  Heads,  wliere  Friends  suffered  much 
from  the  violence  of  the  Prie^s,  wlio  excommu- 
nicated them,  and  ordered  the  people  to  have  no 
commercial  dealings  with  them,  either  in  selling 
or  buying ;  but  their  malice  was  frustrated  by  the 
interference  of  Colonel  Ashfield,  who  was  also  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  who  put  a  stop  to  these 
violent  pr6ceedings.  The  Colonel  was  himself 
afterwards  convinced,  had  a  Meeting  settled  in 
his  house,  became  a  Minister  in  the  society,  and 
lived  and  died  in  it. 

Having  visited  and  encourageH  his  Friends  at  and 
about  Heads,  George  Fox  went  to  Glasgow;  and 
as  he  entered  the  town,  the  guard  took  him  before 
the  Governor,  who  soon  set  him  at  liberty.  A 
meeting  was  appointed  at  this  place,  to  m  hich  none 
of  the  townspeople  coming,  George  and  his  com- 
panions preached  through  the  streets  ;  and  leaving 
the  town,  came  towards  Badcow,  and  to  William 
Osburn's.  Whilst  in  this  part,  they  were  way- 
laid by  some  thieves,   who  being  obserred  by 

M 


« 


-J 


i*' 


134 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


George  Fox,  he  requested  William  Osburn  t« 
return  and  seek  for  Robert  Widders,  who  had 
tarried  behind  to  speak  to  a  priest.  William  Os- 
burn was  loth  to  leave  George  by  himself;  but 
he,  with  his  usual  courage,  pressed  him  to  re- 
turn; to  which  he  at  length  consented.  When 
he  was  gone,  George  desired  the  men  to  come  to 
him,  with  which  they  reluctantly  and  tremblingly 
complied.  He  then  admonished  them  to  be  ho- 
nest, and  gave  them  some  religious  advice,  which 
it  appears  they  did  not  resent.  Here  George  staid 
till  his  companions  came  up,  and  then  they  went  all 
together  to  the  house  of  their  friend  and  companion, 
Wm.  Osburn,  where  they  had  a  good  opportunity 
to  preach  to  the  people  who  came  there,  lliey 
now  passed  into  the  Highlands,  but  the  inhabitants 
were  so  extremely  violent,  that  they  ran  at  the 
Friends  with  pitchforks,  and  attempted  to  maim, 
if  not  to  kill,  both  them  and  their  horses  ;  but  he 
says,  "  through  the  Lord*s  goodness  we  escaped 
them,  being  preserved  by  his-power.** 

Leaving  the  Highlands,  they  came  to  Stirling, 
where  the  soldiers  arrested  them,  and  took  them 
before  the  officers,  w  ho  soon  set  them  at  liberty. 
They  could  not  easily  obtain  a  religious  meeting 
with  the  inhabitants  of  this  place ;  but,  the  next 
day,  there  being  a  horse-race  near  the  town,  many 
of  the  inhabitants  and  officers  w  ent  to  it ;  and,  a» 


Ifl 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


1S5 


they  returned,  George  took  the  opportunity  of 
preaching  to  them.  Some  confessed  to  the  truth 
of  his  doctrine,  though  others  opposed  :  "  but,"  to 
use  his  own  w  ords,  "  the  Lord's  truth  and  power 
came  over  them  all." 

From  Stirling  they   went   to  Burnt-island,    in 
Fifeshire,  where  ihey  had  two  meetings  at  Captain 
Pool's.     He  and  his  wife  were  both  convinced,  as 
were  also  several  officers  of  the  army.    After  pass- 
ing through  some  other  places,  they  came  to  John- 
ston's, now  called  Perth,  where  they  found  a  very 
bitter    spirit    excited   against    them,   particular  y 
among  and  by  the  Baptists;  who,  when  they  could 
not  prevail  by  fair  disputation,  applied  to  the  Go- 
vernor, and  obtained  a  company  of  foot  soldiers, 
by  whom  the  Friends  were   forced   out   of  the 
town.     Alexander  Parker  and  James  Lancaster, 
as  well  as  Robert  Widders,  were  now  George  Fox's 
companions.     As  they  passed  through  the  town, 
guarded  by  the  soldiers,  "  James  Lancaster  was 
moved   to   sing  with  a  melodious  sound  in  the 
power  of  God;"  and  George  preached  the  ever- 
lasting gospel  to  the  people,  who  generally  came 
out  of  their  houses  ;  so  that  the  streets  w  ere  filled 
with  them.     The  soldiers  were  much  ashamed  of 
their  part  of  the  business,  and  said  they  had  rather 
have  gone  to  Jamaica,  than  have  guarded   them. 
I^These  malevolent  Baptists  w  ere  soon  after  turned    ] 

M  2 


H 


tJ8 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


137 


^ut  of  the  army,  and  the  Governor  was  dismissed 
on  tJie  restoration  of  Charles  the  Second. 

Being  thus  forced  from  Johnston's,  and  they  and 
their  horses  conveyed  in  boats  over  the  water, 
they  went  to  another  market  town,  where  Edward 
Billing,  already  mentioned,  was  quartered,  and 
many  soFdiers  with  him.  Coming  to  an  inn,  the 
priends  applied  for  a  place  in  which  to  hold  a 
meeting,  and  the  Town-hall  was  proposed  by  the 
military  part  of  the  inhabitants ;  but  the  Magis- 
trates not  being  so  favourabfy  disposed,  appointed  a 
meeting:  of  iheir  own  to  be  held  there  at  the  same 
time.  The  officers  desired  them,  notwithstanding 
this,  to  go  to  the  Town-hall,  but  this  they  refused, 
considering  it  by  no  means  justifiable.  They 
therefore  went  to  tlie  market  place,  and  it  being 
market  day,  they  had  an  opportunity  of  preaching 
to  a  very  large  company,  who  however  paid  very 
little  attention  whilst  Alexander  Parker  was 
preaching ;  but  when  George  Fox  began  to 
preach,  the  people  came  out  of  the  Town-hall, 
the  Magistrates  following  them,  and  a  large  com- 
pany was  thus  collected.  "  The  people  were 
turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  died  for 
them,  and  had  enlightened  them,  that  with  Ihs 
light  they  might  see  their  evil  deeds,  be  saved  from 
their  sins  by  him,  and  might  come  to  know  him 
f  be  their  teacher.''     Several  of  the  people  audi 


soldiers,  after  this  meeting,  became  more  kindly 
disposed,  especially  the  English,  of  whom  there 
would  probably  be  many  among  the  soldiers  y 
fiome  of  whom  were  afterwards  convinced. 

George  Fox  and  his  companions  came  fronv 
tiais  place  to  Leith,  where  he  was  informed  by  the 
innkeeper  and  several  odier  kindly  disposed  people, 
tliat  the  Council  at  Edinburgh  had  issued  war- 
rants to  apprehend  him;  but  this  did  not  prevent 
his  soing  there  again*  Indeed  so  littk  was  he 
intimidated  witii  the  information,  that  he  said  to 
those  who  communicated  it ;  "  What  do  ye  tell 
me  of  their  warrants?  If  there  were  a  cart  load  of 
them,  I  do  not  regard  them,  for  the  Lord's  power 
is  over  them  all.''  When  he  came  to  Edinburgh,, 
he  went  to  his  former  inn,  but  no  one  attempted 
to  arrest  or  meddle  with  him.  After  visiting  hW 
friends  in  this  city,  he  and  liis  eompanions  toob 
horse  next  raornmg.  When  out  of  the  town,  he 
informed  his  companions,  that  it  was  upon  hiiii^ 
"  from  the  Lord  to- go  back  to  Johnston's,  and  to 
set  the  power  of  God  and  his  truth  over  them 
also."'  Alexander  Parker  offered  to  accompany 
him>  and  it  was  thought  best  for  his  two  other 
companions,  Thomas  Rawlinson  and  Robert 
WidderSj.to  stay  behind.  George's  horse  tiring 
that  of  his  companion,  he  went  alone  to  Johu-r 
9toii.'s;  which  he  entered  without  any  molestsUio*^ 

;4.a 


:    vil 


138 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


just  as  they  were  drawing  up  the  bridges.    George 
rode  directly  to  Captain  Davenport's,  from  whose 
lodssings  or  house  he  had  been  banished.     Several 
officers  were  with  the   Captain,  who  admired  at 
George's  courage,  in  coming  again  amongst  them. 
When  the  Baptists  heard  of  his  return,  they  sent 
him  a  challenge  for  a  dispute  the  next  day,  whicii 
be  accepted,  appointing  a  time,  and  a  place  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  town^     Captain  Davenport 
and  his  son  accompanied  George  to  the  place  ap- 
pointed, but  no  Baptists  came,  whose  design  it 
seems  was  to  get  him  into  their  power,  and  again 
to  force  him  out  of  tlie  town.     Tlie  Captain  was 
at  this  time  very  loving  to  Friends,  and  afterwards 
lost  his  place  for  the  conformity  of  his  conduct 
with  their  practices  and  principles.  Whilst  waiting 
here,  Alexander  Parker  came  in  sight,  and  George 
and  he  returned  to  their  companions,  Alexander 
woin<»  bv  tire  town  mentioned  befoi-e,  where  they 
had  the  meeting  in  the  market,   and  George  by 
Lieutenant  Foster's  quarters,  uhere  he  found  seve-^ 
ral  officers,  who  had  embraced  the  principles  which 
he  propagated; 


George  and  his  Friends  now  returned  again  to 

Edinburgh,  which  they  entered  without  any  inters 

ruption.      The   next    day   they   had  a    meeting 

there,  which  was  altcuded  by  many  of  the  armyj 

V'^vhich  ihcy  met  vilh  no  diitiubancei -    George 


%WS.  OF  eEORCE  VOX^ 


1C9 


saySj  "  A  glorious  meeting  it  was  ;  the  everlasting 
power  of  God  was  set  over  the  nation^  and  his 
Son  reigned  in  his  glorious  power.!' 

His   mind  being  now  at  liberty  to  leave  Scot^ 
land,   he   and  his  companions  travelled  towards 
England,  having  a  large  and   satisfactory  meeting 
at  Dunbar.     I'his  was  the  last  meeting  he  had  at 
this  time  in  Scotland ;  after  which  he  makes  these 
remarks  respecting  his  travels   in  tliat  country  : 
"  The  truth  and  power  of  God  was  set  over  that 
nation,  and  many,  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God, 
were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  sa- 
viour and  teacher,  whose  blood  was  shed  for  them^ 
and  there' is  since  a  great  increase,  and  gmat  there 
will  be  in  Scotland;  thouoh  the  time  be  far  dis*. 
taut  at  pi-esem;  for  when  first  Lset  my  horse's  feet 
upon  Scottish  ground,  I  felt  the  seed  of  God  to 
sparkle  about  me,    like    innumerable  sparks  of 
fire.     Not  but  that  there  is  abundance  of  thick 
cloddy  earth  of  hypocrisy,  and  falseness  atop,  and 
a  briar)',  brambly  nature,  which  is  to  be  bnmed  up 
with  God's  word,  and  plougheil  up  with  his  spi- 
ritual plough,  before  God's  seed  brings  forth  hea- 
YenJy  and  spiritual   fruit  to  his  glory  ;   but  the 
husba«dman  is-  to  wait  in-  patience."' 

Leaving  Sootlamd)  they  came  by  Berwick  to 
•5i«r^h;  Jiaving  a  good^s  though  anallj  meeting  at 


^.^i 


t¥y 


LIFE  OF  OEORGE  FOX* 


LITE    OF    GEOKGE    FOX. 


l4l 


the  former  place.  They  came  next  to  Newcastle, 
where,  it  seems,  George  had  been  before,  though 
not  noticed  in  his  Journal.  The  Priests  at  this 
place,  and  one  at  least  of  the  Magistrates,  had 
manifested  much  enmity  against  Friends,  and  said 
"  the  Quakers  would  not  come  into  any  great 
lowns,  but  lived  in  the  fells  like  butterflies." 
George,  taking  Anthony  Pearson  with  hkn,  (whom, 
it  is  probable,  he  found  at  Newcastle)  went  tQ 
some  of  the  Aldermen  of  the  town,  and  spoke  to 
tiiem  respecting  the  books  which  they  had  pub- 
lished, and  tlie  reports  they  had  raised ;  desiriog 
also  to  have  a  meeting  amongst  them,  Ixit  jthis 
they  would  not  permit ;  and  therefore  a  meeting 
was  held  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  at  Gate^ 
side,  now  called  Gateshead;  where  George  ob-^ 
serves  "  a  meeting  is  continued  to  this  duy  in  the 
same  of  Jesus."  Since  his  time,  however,  i\\^ 
meeting  has  been  removed  to  Newcastle. 

George  and  his  companions,  (but  who  they  now 
were  is  not  certain,)  ti  a  veiling  in  Northumberland,, 
and  the  Bishoprick  or  Coimty  of  Durham,  had  a 
large  and  good  meeting  at  Lieutenant  Dove's, 
H'here  many  were  turned  to  the  Lord.  Coming  to 
Durham,  they  met  with  a  person  lately  arrived? 
from  London,  with  an  intention  to  establish  a  col- 
lege for  preparing  young  men  for  the  ministry. 
George  visite4  iliis  maO;  and  reasoned  with  liiipft 


on  the  insufficiency  of  human  learning,  for  making, 
a  gospel  minister.  The  man  assented  to  much  of 
what  George  said,  was  very  tender,  and  ultimately 
declined  to  set  up  his  college. 

From  Durham  they  went  to  Anthony  Pearson's, 
who,  it  seems,  had  a  house  in  these  parts ;  and  af- 
terwards into  Cleveland,  and  Holderness,  and  by 
Hull  and  Pontefract;  to  Scalehouse  and  Swarth- 
niore.  After  visiting  Friends  ia  these  part3, 
George  returned  into  Yorkshire,  and  went  after- 
wards into  Cheshire,  Derbyshire,  and  Nottingham- 
shire. In  these  visits  he  had  many  large  and  good 
meetings,  the  Lord's  presence  and  power  accom- 
panying. 

At  Nottingham,  Geo.  Fox  met  with  Rice  Jones, 
who  appears  to  have  been  the  head  of  a  people, 
that  had  once  been  very  religious  ;  but  were  now 
much  declined.  George  wishing  to  see  this  peo- 
ple, requested  Jones  to  collect  them,  with  which 
came  to  the  Castle,  where  a  meeting  was  held, 
he  reluctantly  complied ;  and  about  eighty  of  them 
which  appeared  to  have  a  good  eft'ect  upon  the 
minds  of  many  of  them.  Some  disputation  arose 
afterward,  in  which  George  showed  this  man  and 
his  followers,  their  deviation  from  the  simplicify 
and  purity,  which  many  of  them  had  once  experi- 
euced.     Not  long  after,  he  and  his  company  were 


142 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


quite  scattereei ;  but  several  of  tliem  joined  Friends. 
This  Rice  Jones  had  some  years  before  said  of 
George  Fox,  that  "  he  was  than  at  the  highest,  and 
should  fall ;"  but  in  this,  as  in  many  other  instances, 
we  see  the  propriety  of  the  apostolic  admonition: 
"  Let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest 
befall.*' 

From  Nottingham  George  Fox  and  his  companions 
travelled  into  the  counties  of  Warwick,  Leicester,. 
Northampton,  aiid  Bedford,  having  meetings  at 
various  places.  Whilst  in  the  last  mentioned 
county,  they  came  to  the  house  of  John  Crook, 
lately  a  Justice  of  tlie  Peace  ;  and  here  was  held 
a  general  yearly  meeting  for  the  whole  nation, 
which  lasted  three  days.  This  meeting  was  at- 
tended by  Friends  from  different  parts  of  the  na- 
tion, and  many  thousands  of  people  were  at  it;  so 
that  the  inns  and  towns  in  the  neighbourhood  were 
filled.  "  Although  there  was  some  disturbance, 
yet  the  Lord^s  power  came  over,  and  a  glorious 
meeting  it  was.  The  everlasting  gospel  was 
preached,  and  maoy  received  it."  In  this  meeting 
Geor^^e  Fox  was  not  onlv  led  into  public  labour 
for  the  people  in  general,  who,  it  appears,  were 
mostly  Friends ;  but  he  also  communicated  much 
pertinent  and  deep  instruction  to  those,  who  were 
engaged  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  which  being 
taken  dovm  at  the  time,  he  gives  the  substance  of 
it  in  his  Jauinal,  and  it  is  peculiarly  worthy  tlie 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


143 


penisal  of  those  who  are  engaged  in  that  important 
service. 

This  meeting  appears  to  have  been  the  first 
held  for  the  society  at  large.  George  Fox  calls  it 
*^  a  general  yearly  meeting,"  by  wliich  it  is  proba- 
ble that  ati  annual  general  meeting  had  been 
agreed  upon,  though  it  is  not  easy  to  trace  the  re- 
gular continuance  of  it  till  some  years  after  the 
time  of  this  meeting,  which  was  held  in  the  year 
1658,  probably  in  the  spring.  Soon  after  the 
conclusion  of  this  meeting,  a  party  of  horse,  and 
a  constable,  came  to  John  Crook^s  to  arrest  George 
Fox;  but  he  having  at  the  tipie  taken  a  walk  in 
the  garden,  and  the  soldiers  seeking  him  only  in 
the  house,  they  departed  without  accomplishing 
their  object. 

After  this  meeting,  George  Fox  came  to  Lon- 
don, visiting  his  friends  in  the  way  thitlier.  Soon 
after  his  arrival  in  that  city,  he  heard  of  a  Spanish 
Jesuit,  who  had  challenged  all  the  Quakers  to  a 
dispute,  at  the  house  of  the  Earl  of  Newport; 
but  when  he  understood  that  this  challenge  m  as 
likely  to  be  accepted,  he  limited  the  number  to 
twelve,  and  afterwards  reduced  it  to  six,  and  then 
to  three.  George  fearing  lest  the  Jesuit  should 
wholly  decline  the  conference,  hastened  to  the 
place  appointed,  accompanied  by  Nicholas  Boad 


:  j 


144 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  EOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


145 


and  Edward  Bunough,  whom  George  sent  first 
to  iTie  Jesuit  with  some  directions  how  to  open 
the  conference.  When  it  had  commenced,  George 
joined  them,  and  a  long  debate  ensued,  principally 
on  the  purity,  or  rather  impurity,  of  the  Romish 
Church,  and  on  the  doctrine  of  1  ransubstantiation. 
The  Jesuit  was  so  closely  argued  with,  that  the 
people  who  were  present,  and  who  would  be  prin- 
cipally of  his  own  party,  saw  his  error,  and  that 
he  could  not  defend  himself.  After  some  remarks 
on  the  persecuting  spirit  of  the  Romish  Church, 
they  parted  with  the  Jesuit,  "  and  his  subtlety 
Mas  confuted  by  simplicitj." 

At  this  time.  Friends  both  in  \h\s  nation  and 
Ireland,  were  ui.der  great  sufferings  for  their  reli- 
gious principles ;  and  George  Fox,  during  his  resi- 
dence in  London,  laid  their  cases  before  Oliver 
Ci:omwell.  A  subscription  was  at  this  time  re- 
commended by  the  government,  for  the  relief  of 
lYte  Protestants  suffering  by  the  persecution  of 
Papists,  in  different  parts  of  Europe;  and  at  the 
same  time  a  general  fast  being  appointed,  George 
published  a  paper,  in  which  he  showed  the  neces- 
sary attendants  of  the  true  fast;  and  manifested 
the  injustice  and  self-condemnation  of  their  con- 
duct, who  were  blaming  the  Papists  for  persecuting 
the  Protestants  abroad ;  while  they,  ci^lling  them- 
selves Protestants,  were,  at  the  same  time,  perse- 


^  cutmg  their  Protestant  neighbours  and  friends  at 
fiome.  George  Fox  was  indeed  much  burdened 
with  the  insincerity  and  hypocrisy  of  the  various 
parties,  which,  during  the  Interregnum,  rose  into 
power ;  each  of  which,  he  successively  \varned  and 
apprized  of  their  downfall.  So  great  at  this  time 
were  the  sufferings  of  the  society,  that  many 
Friends  who  were  at  liberty,  feeling  for  their  suf- 
fering brethren,  requested  of  the  Parliament  that 
they  might  be  permitted  to  take  tlieir  places,  par- 
ticularly of  those  whose  lives  were  considered  ia 
danger.  "  This,"  he  says,  "  we  did  in  love  to 
God  and  our  brethren,  that  they  might  not  die  ia 
prison ;  and  in  love  to  those  that  cast  them  in,  that 
they  might  not  bring  innocent  blood  upon  their 
own  heads."  But  notwithstanding  these  liberal 
proposals,  those  high  professors  were  so  far  from 
granting  the  requests,  that  they  would  sometimes 
be  enraged,  and  threaten  the  kind  applicants  with 
whipping  them  and  sending  them  home.  The 
Parliament,  which  was  now  sitting,  was  principally 
composed  of  those  who  were  the  highest  in  reli- 
gious profession ;  but,  it  seems,  the  most  violent 
in  persecution.  To  them  George  addressed  a  few 
lines,  which  he  concludes  with  these  unequivocal 
expressions  from  the  Apostle  James :  "  Ye  have 
lived  in  pleasure  on  the  earth,  and  been  wanton  ; 
ye  have  nourished  your  hearts   as  in  a  day  tf 


'^i\ 


f 


It 


146 


LIFE    OF    SEOHGE    FOT. 


slaughter ;  ye  have  condemned  and  killed  the  just, 
and  he  doth  not  resist  you." 

Whilst  he  was  in  London,  there  was  a  proposal 
for  giving  Cromwell  the  title  of  King,  which  in- 
duced George  to  go  to  him  and  advise  him  against 
it;  and  it  seems  his  advice  was  well  received.  He 
also  wrote  to  him  on  the  subject ;  and  about  this 
time  the  Protector's  daughter,  Claypole,  being  out 
of  health,  and  low  in  mind,  George  wrote  a  letter 
of  religious  advice  to  her;  which,  when  it  wgs 
read,  she  said  stayed  her  mind  for  the  present. 


i 


CHAP.  XL 

lCJ8-fiO-r/«m  London-Mccf>,  Crom^cltm  He  Park 
at  Hampton  Court-Goes  into  Bach-Rctum,  to  U.i- 
doH-Coc.  klo  E,'»x-Hvan  of  Cm-mW/*  Death - 
Jictur»s  to  lomhn-Goes  to  Rtadwg^Sufm  tnuch 
in  Body  and  Mind-Comes  ogam  to  l^ndon-Trctvclf 
as  far  as  Cornv:all-R<vioMtrtttcs  on  tht  Practice  of 
plunderhig  wrecked  Ftssels, 

George  fox  feeling  his  mind  now  al  li- 
berty from  the  various  services,  in  which  he  had 
beeu  engaged  in  London,  prepared  to  leave  the 
city ;  but  as  he  was  going  out,  two  troopers  ar- 
rested him  and  two  Friends  who  were  wilh  him, 
and  look  them  to  the  Mews,  where  they  were  de- 
tauied  a  few  hours ;  and  then,  without  any  exa- 
Biination,  liberated.     George  now  took  a  boat  ta 
Kingston,  being  desirous  of  speaking  agam  to  the 
Protector,  who  was  at  Hampton-Court,  respect- 
i„<r  the  sufferings  of  his  friends.     He  met  Crom- 
Mell  riding  in  the  Park  at  the  head  of  his  life 
guard,  and  George  says,  "  I  saw  a.ul  felt  a  waft 
of  death  go  forth  against  him,  and  when  I  came  to 
him    he  looked  like  a  dead  man."     After  laymg 
the  sufferings  of  friends  before  him,  and  warning 
him  respecting  his  own  state,  the  Protector  de- 
sired George  to  come  to  him  at  his  own  house. 
Oobig  accordingly  the  next  day  to  HamptOtt- 

K  2 


14S 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


Court,  he  was  informed  that  the  Protector  "was 
sick,  and  the  doctors  were  not  willing  that  he 
should  be  spoken  with.  George  now  left  Kings- 
ton, and  went  to  his  friend,  Isaac  Pennington's, 
in  Buckinghamshire,  where  he  had  appointed  a 
meeting,  in  which,  he  says,  "  the  Lord's  power 
aud  truth  was  preciously  manifested/' 


After  spending  some  time  in  visiting  Friends  in 
these  parts,  he  returned  to  London ;  and  soon  af- 
ter went  into  Essex,  where  he  heard  of  CromwelFs 
death,  and  that  his  son  Richard  was  made  Protec- 
tor; upon  which  George  went  again  to  London. 
A  Church  Faith,  about  this  time,  was  given  forth; 
and  George,  having  procured  a  copy  in  manuscript, 
printed  an  Answer,  which  was  published  at  the 
same  time  with  the  Faith.     This  greatly  irritated 
some  of  the  Parliament  Men ;  and  one  of  them  told 
George  that  they  must  have  him  to  Smithiield; 
which  was  the  place  used,  in  Queen  Mary's  days, 
for  burning  the  Protestants.     This  tlireat  did  not 
at  all  intimidate  him ;  for  he  replied  to  it,  that  he 
was  over  their  fires,  and  feared  them  not.     Thus 
did  this  courageous  soldier   of  Christ  stand  his 
ground,  and  nobly  contend  for  the  faith  delivered 
to  the  saints. 


Leaving  London  again,  he  went  to  Captain 
Birkhead's,  at  Twickenham,  where  a  meeting  was 
held,  which  wgs  numerously  and  respectably  at- 


LIFE    OF    GEOnOE    FOX- 


149 


fended.  "  A  glorious  meeting  it  was,  wherein  the 
scriptures  were  largely  and  clearly  opened  :  and 
Christ  exalted  above  all,  to  the  great  satisfactiore 
©f  the  hearers." 

This  time  of  great  persecntion  seemed  to  in- 
crease,   as   the  present   powers  drew  near   to   a 
termination.      George   Fox   says,   that   "besides 
imprisonments,  through  which  many  died,  meet- 
ings were  greatly  disturbed.     They  have  thrown 
rotten  eggs  and  wild-fire  into  our  meetings,  and' 
brought  in  drums  beating,  and  kettles  to   make 
noises  with,  that  the  truth  might  not  be  heard; 
and  among  these  the  priests  were  as  rude  as  any." 
This  state  of  things  induced  George  Fox  to  salute 
his  Friends  with  a  short,  but  affectionate  and  iii- 
«tructive  epistle,  encouraging  them  to  faithfulness 
and  patience  in  their  sufferings.   The  epistle  is  a* 
follows : 

"  My  dear  friends,  every  where,  in  prison,  or 
out  of  prison ;  fear  not  because  of  the  report  of 
sufferings ;  let  not  the  evil  spies  of  tlie  good  land 
make  you  afraid,  if  they  tell  you  the  walls  are 
high,  and  Anakims  are  in  the  land ;  for  at  the 
blowing  of  the  rams  horns  did  the  walls  of  Jericho 
fall  ;  and  they  that  brought  the  evil  report  perish- 
ed in  the  wilderness.  Dwell  in  faith,  patience, 
and  hope,  having  the  word  of  life  to  keep  you^ 
vbich  is  beyond  the  law  ;  and,  having  the  oath  c£ 


>S 


N 


150 


-LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


f 


I 


li| 


God,  his  covenant,  Christ  Jesus,  which  divides 
the  waters  asunder,  and  makes  them  to  run  all  on 
heaps,  in  that  stand  ;  and  ye  will  see  all  things 
work  together  for  good,  to  them  that  love  God.  In 
that  triumph  when  sufferings  come,  whatever  they 
may  be.  Your  faith,  your  shield,  your  helmet,  your 
armour,  you  have  on.  You  are  ready  to  skip  over  a 
mountain,  a  wall,  or  an  hill,  and  to  walk  through 
the  deep  waters,  though  they  be  as  heaps  upon 
heaps.  The  evil  spies  of  the  good  land  may 
preach  up  hardness  ;  but  Caleb  which  signifies  an 
heart,  aud  Joshua  a  Saviour,  triumph  over  all. 

«  G.  F/' 

George  Fox  now  retired  to  Eeadin^,  where  he 
continued  about  ten  weeks,  aud  underwent  much 
exercise  of  mind,  by  which  his  bodily  health  was 
affected.  The  nation  was  now  in  a  very  agitated 
state,  the  restoration  of  Charles  the  Second  being 
in  contemplation,  and  soon  after  effected.  Friends 
were  suspected  of  promoting  this  object  in  their 
meetings,  but  they  did  not,  as  a  people,  interfere 
with  any  matters  relating  to  Government ;  and 
Georore,  who  was  returned  to  London,,  was  afraid, 
lest,  in  the  present  state  of  public  affairs,  any 
young  or  inexperienced  persons,  who  might  some- 
times come  amongst  Friends,  should  be  drawn  to 
take  part  on  eitiier  side.  He  therefore  wrote  two 
epistles  on  the  occasiou,  showing  that,  cousistently 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


151 


with  the  principles  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  which 
they  had  embraced,  they  could  not  join  in  any  mi- 
litary combinations,  nor  in  those  plots  and  contri- 
vances which  were  connected  with  them.  He  also 
published  a  paper  on  account  of  the  superstitious 
regard  which  was  paid,  by  the  republican  party,  to 
Oliver  Cromwell,  whose  effigy,  after  his  burial, 
lay  a  considerable  time  in  state,  with  people  sound- 
ing trumpets  over  the  image. 


■i 


George  Fox  continued  a  considerable  time  in 
London,  visiting  the  Meetings  of  his  Friends  there, 
and  in  the  neighbourhood,  as  well  as  being  en- 
gaged in  other  services ;  after  which  he  went  into 
Essex,  Suffolk,  and  Norfolk.  He  came  to  Nor- 
wich about  the  time  called  Christmas,  but  I  can- 
not ascertain  whether  this  was  in  the  close  of  the 
year  1658  or  9,  but  I  suppose  the  former.  The 
Mayor  of  Norwich,  having  heatd  of  a  meeting 
being  appointed,  had  issued  a  warrant  to  apprehend 
George  Fox  ;  who  hearing  of  it,  requested  some 
of  his  friends  in  that  city,  to  speak  to  the  Mayor, 
by  which  he  was  induced  not  to  put  his  warrant  ia 
execution.  A  large  meeting  was  accordingly 
held  ;  and  though  attended  by  many  rude  people, 
and  by  "  several  Priests,  Professors,  and  Ranters," 
it  concluded  to  great  satisfaction.  During  the 
meeting,  one  of  the  priests  stood  up  and  cried", 
*'  Error,  blasphemy,  and  an  ungodly  meeting." 
This  induced  George  to  call  upon  him  for  an  ex^ 


152 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX» 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


153 


plaiiation  of  his  assertion,  which  having  attemptecT, 
he  was  replied  to  in  such  a  manner,  as  convinced 
the  people,  that  the  priest  had  charged  what  he 
could  not  prove.     The  dispute  had  a  good  eflfect 
©n  their  minds  ;  and  removed  the  prejudice  which 
they  had  entertained  against  Friends.     The  result 
of  the  meeting  George  describes  thus:  "A  glo- 
rious day  this  was ;  for  truth  came  over  all,  and 
people  were  turned  to   God  by  his  power  and 
Spirit ;   and  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Chtist  their  free 
teacher,  who  wa»  exalted  over  all." 

When  this  meeting  was  over,  he  left  Nor- 
wich that  evening;  and  afterwards  came  to  Col. 
Dennis's,  where  he  liad  a  large  meeting.  After 
|isiting  Friends  in  Norfolk,  he  came  into  Cam- 
bridgeshire,  Huntingdonshire,  and  several  other 
counties.  Many  were  convinced  in  different  parts, 
though  he  met  with  much  rude  treatment  in  his 
travels  ;  but  he  might  truly  say  with  the  Apostle  ^ 
«  None  of  these  things  move  me." 

Having  finished  his  services,  at  present,  in  the 
IBOuntry,  he  returned  to  London,  where  General 
Monk  was  arrived,  and  the  gates  of  the  city  were 
pulling  down.     George  Fox  had  repeatedly,  by 
word  and  writing,  warned  the  diiferent  ruling  par- 
tees,  both  in  Oliver's  time  a«d  afterwards,  "  of  the. 
iky  of  recompence  that  wai^  coming  upon  themiT', 


and  now,  before  they  were  wholly  removed  from 
their  authority,  he  thought  it  right  to  lay  their 
conduct  before  them  ;  which  he  did  in  a  spirited 
and  energetic  address. 

About  this  time,  the  soldiers  under  General 
Monk's  command,  being  often  concerned  in  dis- 
turbing Friends'  meetings,  their  conduct  was  re- 
presented to  the  General ;  and  he  issued  an  order, 
dated  "  St.  James's,  9th  of  March,  l659,  requiring 
all  officers  and  soldiers  to  forbear  to  disturb  the 
peaceable  meetings  of  the  Quakers."  This  order 
restrained  the  conduct  of  the  military,  and  pro- 
bably had  a  beneficial  effect  upon  others. 

Being  now  at  liberty  to  leave  London;  and 
finding  his  mind  drawn  to  visit  Friends  in  the 
western  parts  of  England,  George  Fox  travelled 
into  Surrey,  Sussex,  Hampshire,  and  Dorsetshire, 
"  visiting  Friends  in  the  Lord's  power,  and  having 
great  meetings  amongst  them."  Ringwood,  Pool, 
and  Dorchester,  are  the  only  places  he  particularly 
mentions  in  these  parts.  At  Dorchester,  the  con- 
stables and  officers  of  the  town  came  to  the  meet- 
ing, under  the  pretence  of  looking  for  a  Jesuit, 
whose  head  they  said  was  shaved.  They  took  off 
George  Fox's  hat,  to  examine  his  head,  when  they 
found  that  the  mark  did  not  apply  to  him;  of 
which  it  seems  they  had  been  misinformed.    Find- 


lo4 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


bg  their  mistake,  and  that  the  company  was  di»- 
g^sted  with  their  conduct,  they  withdrew  with 
shame.  The  meeting,  which  was  very  large, 
many  soldiers  as  well  as  others  being  present,  was 
then  held  to  much  satisfaction ;  "  and  people  were 
turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  their  teacher, 
who  had  bought  Uicm,  and  would  reconcile  theitt 
to  God.*' 

From  Dorsetshire  he  and  his  companions,  (for 
such  it  seems  he  had,)  came  into  Somersetshire^ 
where,  he  says,  the  Presbyterians  and  other  Pro- 
fessors were   very   wicked,   and  often   disturbed 
Triends'  meetings.     Tlie  following  affecting  cir- 
cumstance he  relates,  as  having  occurred  in  that 
county.     One  time,  a  very   wicked   man   put   a 
bear's  skin  on  his  back,  with  which  he  played  his 
pranks  in  a  meeting ',  and,  setting  himself  opposite 
to  a  Friend  who  was  speaking,  he  lolled  his  tongue 
out  of  his  mouth,  and  made  sport  for  his  wicked 
companions ;  cau5^ing  a  great  distuibance  in  the 
meeting.     But  as  he  returned  home,  there  being 
a  bull-baiting  in  the  way,  he  stayed  to  see  it,  and 
coming  neai-  the  bull,  he  struck  his  horn  under  the 
man's°chin,  iuto  his  throat,  by  which  his  tongue 
was  forced  oiU  of  his   mouth,  as  he  had  placed  it 
in  derision,  in  the  meeting.     The  bull's  horn  run- 
ning up  into  the  man's  head,  he  was  swung  about 
in  r  terrible  manner ;  and  though  his  death  is  not. 
mentioned,  it  does  not  seem  likely  he  could  lon^ 
survive  such  a  circumstance. 


IIFE    OF   GEORGE    FaX^. 


155 


Travelling  through  Somersetshire  arid  Devon- 
shire, they  came  to  Plymouth,  from  which  place 
they  proceeded  to  Cornwall,  as  far  as  the  Land's 
End,  having  "  many  precious  and  blessed  meetings, 
wherein  the  convinced  were  established,  and  many 
were  added  to  them."   Whilst  in  Cornwall,  George 
Fox,  whose  heart  seems  to  have  been  always  open 
to  the  feelings  of  humanity,   was  much  distressed 
with  the  conduct  of  the  people,  in  cases  of  ship- 
wreck.   It  seems  that  scarcely  any  exertions  were 
used  for  saving  the  lives  of  the  distressed  seamen; 
but  the  people,  "  rich  and  poor,"  united  in  plun- 
dering the  property  of  the  vessels,  and  securing  it 
for  their  own  private  advantage.     This  induced 
George  to  write  and  publish  a  paper,  remonstrat- 
in<r  with  the  people  on  their  wicked  conduct,  and 
contrasting  it  with  that  of  the  Heathens  in  the 
Island  of  Melita,  where  Paul  and  his  companions 
were   shipwrecked.     To  this  letter   he  added   a 
postscript,  which  was  addressed  to  his  own  Friends ; 
and  as  it  exhibits  a  specimen  of  the  kind  of  morals 
which  he  inculcated,  as  well  as  shows  the  amiable 
tenderness  of  his  disposition,  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  transcribe  it. 

«  All  dear  Friends,  who  fear  the  Lord  God, 
keep  out  of  the  ravenous  world's  spirit,  which 
leads  to  raven  and  destroy,  and  is  out  of  the  wis- 
dom of  God.  When  ships  are  wrecked,  do  not 
run  to  destroy  and  make  havock    of  »hip  -att^ 


136 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


goods  With  the  world ;  but  run  to  save  the  men 
and  the  goods  for  them;  and  so  deny  yourselves, 
and  do  unto  them  as  ye  would  Uiey  should  do 
unto  you." 

This  paper  was  of  considerable  service;  and 
Friends  complying  with  the  above  advice,  have 
particularly  exerted  themselves  to  assist  and  re- 
lieve distressed  seamen,  in  cases  of  shipwreck ; 
which  George  Fox  says  «  is  an  act  to  be  prac- 
tised by  all  Uue  Christians," 


CHAP.  XIT. 

1660— From  Cornwall  proceeds  hy  Devon  and  Sotnersct 
to  Bristol — Has  large  Meetings  there — Comes  to  JVor* 
cester — Great  Excesses  on  the  King's  return-yVisits 
his  Relations  in  Leicestershire — Comes  by  Derbyshire 
into  Yorkshire — Yearly  Meeting  at  Balby — General 
Meeting  at  Skipton-^'Is  committed  to  Lancaster  Jaxh^^ 
Is  removed  to  London  and  liberated,  , 

jN  Cornwall,   George  Fox  had  many   satis- 
factory meetings ;  and  several  persons  of  eminence 
were  convinced  in  that  county,  whom  manifold 
sufferings  could  not  draw  from  their  principles. 
He  now  returned  into  Devonshire  and  Somerset- 
shire,  visiting   Friends  till   he    came  to   Bristol. 
This  place  he  entered  on  a  seventh  day,  and  un- 
derstanding that,  the  day  before,  Friends'  meeting 
had  been  disturbed  by  the  soldiers,  who  were  en- 
couraged by  the  Mayor,  he  requested  four  Friends 
of  that  city  to  apply  to  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen, 
and  to  request,  that  as  they  would  not   permit 
Friends  to  meet  in  their  usual  place,  they  would 
accommodate  them  with  the  Town-Hall,  offering 
twenty  pounds  a  year  for  the  use  of  it,  and  en- 
gaging not  to  interfere  with  the  public  business.. 
The  Friends  were  startled  at  this  request ;  but  at 
length  consented  to  make  it,  and,  to  their  astonish- 
ment; found  Uie  Mayor  willing  to  accept  the  pro- 

o 


158 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


Ii  ) 


posal  ;  but  being  only  one  among  many  wlio 
had  the  power  of  accedhig  to  it,  the  offer  could 
not  immediately  be  complied  with.  The  Mayor's 
mind  was,  however,  softened  by  the  conduct  of 
these  Friends.  When  they  returned,  George  re- 
quested them  to  go  to  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment, 
Mhose  soldiers  had  been  so  abusive,  and  lay  tlieir 
conduct  before  him ;  but  this  the  Friends  declined, 
"which  had  nearly  been  of  very  serious  conse- 
quence; for  at  the  meeting  next  day,  several  rude 
people  and  soldiers  came,  some  with  drawn  swords, 
and  one  of  them  had  bound  himself  by  an  oath 
**  to  rut  down  and  kill  the  man  that  spoke.'*  He 
pressed  through  the  crowd,  till  he  came  within 
about  two  yards  of  George  Fox,  who,  it  seems, 
was  preaching.  The  four  Friends,  who  had  been 
requested  to  speak  to  the  Colonel,  were  near  him ; 
and  the  man,  entering  into  dispute  with  them, 
suddenly  put  up  his  sword;  "  for  the  Lord's 
power  came  over  all,  and  chained  him  with  the 
rest  ;■ '  after  which  the  meeting  was  held  to  much 
satisfaction.  The  next  day,  the  four  Friends  went 
to  speak  to  the  Colonel  respecting  the  conduct  of 
his  men,  who  not  only  reprimanded  the  soldiers, 
but  also  wounded  them  with  his  sword  whilst  the 
Friends  were  present.  Tliis  George,  with  his 
usual  huniane  and  christian  spirit,  blamed  the 
Friends  for  suffering  in  their  presence,  and  also 
for  not  going  to  the  Colonel  when  he  first  desired 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


159 


i| 


I 


it;  which  might  have  prevented  both  the  distur- 
bdnce  at  the  meeting,  and  the  punishment  of  the 
men. 

After  this  a  general  meeting  was  held  at  Ed- 
ward Pyott's,  near  Bristol,  which  was  so  nume- 
rously attended,  both  by  Friends  and  others,  that 
the  people  who  remained,  said  the  city  looked 
naked.  The  meeting  "  was  very  quiet,  many  glo- 
rious truths  were  opened  to  the  people;  and  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  set  up,  who  is  the  end  of 
all  figures  and  shadows  of  the  law,  and  of  the 
first  covenant." 

Leaving  Bristol  and  its  neighbourhood,  George 
Fox  went  by  *  Oldeston  and  Nailsworth,  to 
Gloucester.  Here  they  had  a  peaceable  meeting, 
though  the  city  was  at  that  time  in  a  very  agitated 
state,  the  inhabitants  and  soldiers  being  much  di* 
vided;  one  part  being  for  the  Parliament,  and  the 
other  for  the  restoration  of  King  Charles.  George, 
however,  passed  quietly  out  of  the  town,  thougb 
some  of  the  King*s  party  said,  after  he  was  gone, 
that  they  would  have  shot  him,  had  they  known 
who  he  was.  From  Gloucester  he  came  to 
Colonel  Grimes's,  where  was  held  a  large  general 

*  Oldeston  I  do  not  find  in  any  Nomina  Villarurn.    I 
suppose  it  to  be  Olveston, 

O  2 


Hi 


I 


160 


I.IFS   0>'   6£0RG£   lOX. 


meeting,  of  which  he  says,  *'  the  Lord's  tinith  and 
power  was  set  over  all."  He  proceeded  to 
Tewkesbury  and  ^Vorcester ;  and,  in  his  travels, 
liad  to  lament  the  rioting  and  drunkenness  which 
then  prevailed;  it  being  the  time  of  a  general 
election,  which  is  mostly  accompanied  with  ex- 
cesses and  animosities,  disgraceful  to  the  christian 
character.  Ai  this  time  the  state  of  parties  ren- 
dered it  worse  than  usual ;  and  the  joy  that  many 
experienced,  at  the  prospect  of  the  King^s  return, 
induced  them  to  indulge  in  all  those  excesses, 
which  too  many  people  think  the  only  mode  of 
demonstrating  their  pleasure.  Besides,  this  party 
was  always  considered  the  most  lax  in  its  morals, 
and  being  now  more  at  liberty,  they  maiiifested 
their  evil  propensities  more  freely.  But  notwith- 
standing these  national  tumults,  George  Fox  and 
his  friends  enjoyed  themselves  in  their  quiet  and 
peaceable  meetings  at  Worcester,  where  he  says  j 
'*  The  Lord's  truth  was  set  over  all ;  people  were 
finely  settled  therein,  and  Friends  praised  the 
Lord.     Nay,  I  saw  the  very  earth  rejoiced." 

Lieaving  Worcester,  he  visited  the  meetings  o£ 
his  Friends,  till  he  came  to  the  place  of  his  nati- 
vity, where  he  spent  a  little  time  among  his  rela- 
tions ;  to  whom  he  appears  to  have  been  affec- 
tionately attached.  From  Drayton  he  came  by 
T\vyxrossandSwanington,  to  Derby,  at  which  place 
he  found  his  old  jailer  convinced  and  joined  ta 


y 


ttVE    OP   GEORGB   FOX. 


16\ 


Friends.     Passing  through   Derbyshire  and  Not- 
tinghamshire, he  came  to  Synderhill  Green  and 
Balby,  in  Yorkshire,    At  this  place,  he  says,  "  our 
yearly  meeting  was  held,  in  a  great  orchard  of 
John  Kellam's."     Whether  this  meeting  was  for 
the  society  in  general,  or  only  for  Friends  in  that 
county  or  neighbourhood,  it  is  difficult  to  deter- 
mine ;  but  I  suppose  the  latter.     The  report  how- 
ever of  the  meeting  had  spread  to  York,  from 
which  place  a  troop  of  horse  was  sent  to  disperse 
It.     Whilst  George  \va^  preaching,   two  trumpe^ 
ers,  sounding  their  trumpets,  rode   through   the- 
midst  of  the  company  to  him ;   and  the  Captain 
who  was  with  them  commanded  George  to  come 
down ;  for  he  had  orders  to  disperse  the  meetino-. 
ITiey   then  entered  into  some   conversation,    by 
which  the   Captain   was  so  softened,  that  he  was 
induced  to  leave  a  few  of  his  men  to  attend  to 
their  proceedings,  who  permitted  the  meeting  to 
continue  to  its  regular  close;   which  was  about 
three   hours    after.      »*  Friends   passed   av^ay   in 
peace,  greatly  refreshed  with  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  and  tilled  with  joy  and  gladness."     Tins 
was   a   singular  deliverance  from  the  maFice  of 
their  enemies ;  and  some  militia  men,  m  ho  pro^- 
bably  sent  to  York  for  the  troop  of  horse,  were 
»uch  enraged  at  the  Captain  and  his  company, 
for  not  proceeding  to  greater  extremities.     ITie 
Captain  also  was  a  desperate  man.     George  Fa» 

.0^3 


■i  . 


yet 


"LIT^  OF  GEORGE  ^OX* 


had  met  with  him  in   Scotland,  where  he   told 
George,   "He  would  obey  his   superior's   com- 
mands, if  it  was  to  crucify  Christ,  or  execute  the 
great  Turk's  commands  against  the  Christians." 
But  the  "eminent  power  of  the  Lord  chained 
both  him  and  his  troopers,  and  those  envious  mi- 
litia  soldiers  also,   who  went  away,   not  having 
power  to  hurt  any,  nor  to  break  up  the  meeting." 
A  meeting  was  held  next  day  at  Warmsworth,  for 
Friends  in  the  ministry ;  after  which,  those  wha 
lived  at  a  distance  departed  homewards ;  but  seve- 
ral were  arrested  and  confined  for  a  short  time* 
On  the  day  that  the  meeting  at   Balby  was  held,. 
General  Lambert,  who  was  opposed  to  the  King'* 
return,  was   defeated,    which   produced   a   great 
bustle  in  the  nation  ;  and  George  Fox  had  some- 
difficulty  in  retaining  his  horse,  which  Lambert's 
party  wished  to  purchase  from  him ;  but  he  re- 
fused to  part  with  it,  telluig  them,"  Gx>d  would 
confound  and  scatter  them,"  which  was  verified  ilk 
a  few  days. 

Having  finished  his  service  at  Balby  and  Warms- 
•worth,  he  travelled  by  *  Baiton  Abbey,  and  Tho- 
mas Taylor's,  to  Skiptou.  Here  was  held  "a 
general  meeting  of  Men  Friends  out  of  manjjL 
tounties,  concerning  tlie  affairs  oi  the  church,  botb^ 

^  X  4sup£0se  Burton,  or  Mook  Brcttoov 


r 


LIFE    OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


1^5 


in  this  nation  and  beyond  the  seas."  Although, 
we  read  of  general  and  yearly  meetings  before  this, 
and  at  other  places,  it  does  not  appear  that  they 
were,  like  this,  meetings  for  discipline,  so  that  the 
original  yearly  meetmg,  of  which  tliat  now  held 
is  a  contiimation,  was  about  this  time  established 
at  Skipton,  in  Yorkshire.  This  meeting  George 
Fox  had  recouunended  several  years  before,  and 
it  seems  this  was  not  the  first  that  was  held.  Its 
objects  were  to  collect  the  accounts  of  Friends' 
sufferings,  to  assist  them  in  procuring  redress ;  and 
to  provide  for  the  relief  of  the  poor  in  the  society, 
that  they  might  not  become  burdensome  to  tlieir 
parishes.  At  the  first  establishment  of  this  meet- 
ing, several  Justices  and  officers  came  with  aiv 
intention  to  break  it  up ;  but  when  they  under- 
stood the  nature  of  the  business,  and  saw  the 
books  in  which  the  transactions  of  the  meeting 
were  entered,  they  were  much  pleased;  ai>d  com- 
mended Friends'  practice.  The  poor  also  of  the 
neighbourhood,  sometimes  to  the  number  of  two 
hundred,  partook  of  the  liberality  of  Friends, 
who  gave  to  each  of  them  a  loaf  of  bread  f  "  for  we 
were  taught,"  says  this  liberal  minded  minister  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  "to  do  good  unto  all,  thougb 
•specially  to  the  household  of  faith." 

When  this  mec  ing  was   finished,  he  went  to 
taucaster^  vi&itiug,  Fiiend*  iu  his^  way..     Fjcoa» 


ier4 


ITTE  OF  GEORGE  FOX* 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


165 


iii- 

r 


; 


;i 


Iii 


Lancaster  he  went  to  Robert  Widders's  house,  and 
to  Amside.    Here  was  held  a  general  meeting  for 
the  three  counties  of  Lancashire,  Westmoreland, 
and  Cumberland,  which  was  quiet  and  peaceable. 
Returning  home  with  his  friend  Robert  Widders, 
he  went  next  day   to  Swarthnrore ;  but  had  not 
been  long  there,  before  he  was  served  with  a  war- 
rant from  Henry  Porter,  a  Justice  under  King 
Charles.      When  George   was   apprehended,   he 
was  taken  first  to  Ulverstone,  where  he  was  de- 
tained that  night;  and  the  next  day  was  conveyed 
to  Lancaster.     He  was  treated  with  great  rude- 
ness and  abuse,  and  tlie  apprehension  of  him  was 
considered  a  great  acquisition.     One  of  the  con- 
stables said   he   did  not  think  a  thousand  men 
could  have  taken  him;  and  another  man  kneeled 
down  and  blessed  God  for  his  being  apprehended*. 
When  he  came  to  Lancaster,  he  was  taken  before 
Justice  Porter,  who  it  seems  was  a  Major   in  the 
army,  and  a  young  inexperienced  man.  After  some 
conversation,   George  Fox  was  committed  to  the 
common  jail  at  Lancaster,  where  he  was  treated 
ivith   great  cruelty  by  the  under-jailer,  and   bj 
many  others'  who  eanie  to  see  bin*. 

Being  now  a  close  prisoner,  he  desired  two  ol 
\a&  friends  to  apply  to  the  jailer,  for  a  copy  of  hi» 
mittiraias  ;  which  they  were  refused,  but  were  per- 
illed to  peruse  U^  smd;  conMuunicalin^the  \m9^- 


of  it  to  George  Fox,  he  wrote  a  reply  to  it,  ex- 
posing the  falsity  of  such  of  the  accusations 
brought  against  him,  as  contained  any  thing  con- 
trary to  the  peace  of  the  nation.  His  friend  Mar- 
garet Fell,  who  was  now  become  a  widow,  also 
wrote  an  address  to  the  Magistrates  on  the  occa- 
sion; feeling  particularly  interested,  as  George 
was  apprehended  at  her  house.  She  also  went  to 
London,  to  speak  to  the  King  on  the  subject, 
•where  Justice  Porter  met  her.  He  had  been  for- 
merly a  zealous  man  for  the  Parliament,  but,  like 
many  others  at  that  time,  he  changed  his  party  as 
interest  led  him.  Several  of  the  courtiers,  how- 
ever, recognized  him  ;  and  reminded  him  of  his 
former  conduct,  in  plundering  their  houses,  and 
other  acts  of  violence.  He  therefore  hastened 
home,  and  manifested  a  dispotition  to  release  his^ 
prisoner :  but  having,  in  the  mittimus,  unwisely, 
but  probably  with  a  design  to  ingratiate  himself 
with  the  royal  party,  committed  George  a  prisoner 
till  he  should  be  delivered  by  the  King  or  Parlia- 
ment; it  was  not  in  his  power  to  release  him, 
George  was  therefore  continued  a  prisoner  at 
Lancaster  for  a  considerable  time  longer.  During 
his  confinement,  Ann  Curtis,  of  Reading,  in  Berk- 
shire, came  to  visit  him.  Her  father  being  having 
been  a  warm  Royalist,  was  executed  near  his  own 
door,for^attenipting  the  King's  restoration.  On  thifik 
account^  she  considered  herself  likely  to  have  some 


16a 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


167 


influence  with  Charles,  and  therefore,  on  her  re- 
turn, she  united  with  Margaret  Fell,  in  applying 
to  him,  on  account  of  George  Fox's  imprisonment. 
When  the  King  knew  whose  daughter  Ann  Curtis 
was,  he  received  her  kindly ;  and  promised  to  send 
for  George  Fox  to  London,  and  hear  the  cause 
himself ;  and  an  Habeas  Corpus  was  soon  after 
obtained  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  him ;  but 
some  legal  difficulties  being  thrown  in  the  way  by 
those  who  had  to  execute  the  writ,  and  wished  to 
detain  him  in  prison,  it  was  delayed  for  some 
time.  During  this  interval,  George  was  not  un- 
employed, but  wrote  several  papers  or  epistles, 
one  of  which  was  addressed  to  the  King ;  and  as  it 
shows  the  honest  simplicity  of  his  manner  of  ad- 
dressing those  in  authority,  as  well  as  his  religious 
zeal  against  all  violence  and  vice,  I  shall  give  a 
copy  of  it. 

To  the  KING. 
"  King  Charles, 
"  Thou  camest  not  into  this  nation  bv  sword, 
nor  by  victory  of  war ;  but  by  the  power  of  the 
Lord.  Now  if  thou  dost  not  live  in  it,  thou  wilt 
not  prosper.  If  the  Lord  hath  shown  thee  mercy, 
and  forgiven  thee,  and  thou  dost  not  show  mercy 
and  forgive,  God  will  not  h^ar  thy  prayers,  nor 
them  that  pray  for  thee.  If  thou  dost  not  stop 
persecution  and  persecutors,  and  take  away  all 
laws  that  hold  up  persecution  ^  but  if  thou  persist 


in  them  and  uphold  persecution,  that  will  make 
thee  as  blind  as  those  that  have  gone  before  thee : 
for  persecution  hath  always  blinded   those   who 
have  gone  into  it.     Such  God  by  his  power  over- 
throws, doth  his  valiant  acts   upon,  and  bringeth 
salvation  to  his  oppressed  ones.     If  thou  bear  the 
sword  in  vain,  and  let  drunkenness,  oaths,  plays, 
maygames,  with  such  like  abominations  and  vani- 
ties be  encouraged,  or  go  unpunished  ;  as  the  set- 
ting of  maypoles,   with  the  image  of  the  crown 
atop  of  them,  &c. ;  the  nations  will  quickly  turn 
like  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and  be  as  bad  as  the 
old  world,  who  grieved  the  Lord  till  he  overthrew 
them  ;  and  so  he  will  you,  if  those  things  be  not 
suppressed.     Hardly  was  there  so  much  wicked- 
ness at  liberty  before,  as  there  is  at  this  day,  as 
tliough  there  was  no  terror  nor  sword  of  ma<yis- 
tracy  ;  which  doth  not  grace  a  government,  nor  is 
a  praise  to  them  that  do  well.     Our  prayers  are 
for  them  that  are  in  authority,  that  under  them  we 
may  live  a  godly  life,  in  which  we  have  peace;  and 
that  we  may  not  be  brought  into  ungodliness  by 
them.     Hear  and  consider,  and  do  good  in  thy 
time,  whilst  thou  hast  power:  be  merciful   and 
forgive ;  that  is  the  way  to  obtain  the  kingdom  of 
Christ.  ctQ^  p>j 

Thus  did  this  suffering  christian  plead  the  cause 
of  God  and  man;  and  whilst  he  recommended  the 


SI 

» 


168 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


LIFE    OF   GEOKGt:    FOX. 


ItX) 


promotion  of  religion  and  virtue,  he  endeavoured 
to  induce  the  King  to  a  lenient  conduct  towards 
those,  who  had  not  only  been  his  own  and  his  fa- 
ther's enemies ;  but  from  whom  George  Fox  and 
his  Friends  had  suffered  much  persecution. 

The  principal  difficulty  which  at  last  ob- 
structed his  removal  to  London,  was  the  fear  of 
the  expense,  which  the  Sheriff  wished  to  impose 
upon  his  prisoner;  with  whom  he  first  proposed 
to  send  a  party  of  horse,  and  afterwards  the  jailer 
and  some  baihffs.  But  finding  that  he  could  not 
bring  George  Fox  to  his  terms,  the  Sheriff  at 
length  agreed  to  let  him  go  without  any  guard, 
taking  his  own  time  and  way,  and  to  have  a  Friend 
or  two  of  his  own  with  him ;  he  giving  expectation 
that  he  would  be  in  London  on  a  certain  day  of 
the  term,  and  appear  before  the  Judges.  Being 
now  liberated,  he  went  first  to  Swarthmore  to  re- 
cruit himself;  and  after  resting  there  two  or  three 
days,  he  took  his  journey  to  London;  Richard 
Hubberthom  and  Robert  Widders  being  his  com* 
panions.  They  travelled  through  Lancashire, 
Cheshire,  Staffordshire,  Warwickshire,  &c.  and  in 
about  three  weeks  reached  London.  The  morn- 
ing after  their  arrival,  they  went  to  the  chambers 
of  Judge  Mallelt,  who  was  then  preparing  himself 
for  trying  some  of  the  King's  Judges  ;  several  of 
whom  had  already  suffered,    llie  Judge  proposed 


I: 


/ 


dieir  coming  another  time,  with  which  they  com- 
plied, and  found  Chief  Justice  Foster  with  him. 
Esquire  Marsh,  one  of  the  King's  Bed  Chamber, 
accompanied  George,  who,  -on  his  admission,  de- 
livered the   charge   against   himself ;   and   when 
tlie  Judges  read  that  part,  which  charged  him  and 
his  Friends  wkh  imbroiling  the  nation  in  blood, 
they  were  so  astonished,   that  they  struck  their 
hands  on  the  table.     George  Fox  then  informed 
them  that  he   was   the   man   against  whom  the 
charge  was  made.     After  some  time,  they  sent 
for  the  Marshal  of  the  King's  Bench,  and  desired 
him  to  secure  the  prisoner ;  but  not  to  put  him 
among  the  other  prisoners.     The  Marshal,  how- 
aver,  having  no  room  at  liberty,  the  prison  being* 
then  unusually  full,  the  Judges  concluded  to  leave 
him  to  provide  for  himself;  he  engaging  to  ap-** 
pear,  about  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning,  at  th« 
King's  Benth,  in  Westminster-Hall,  with  only  thi« 
reserve,   "  If  the  Lord  give  me  strength."    It 
6eenis  George  Fox  was  not  a  stranger  to  Judge 
Foster,  for  he  said  to  the  other  Judge,   "If  he 
(George)  says  yes,  and  promises  it,  you  may  take 
his  word." 

The  next  day,  at  the  hour  appointed,  ac- 
companied by  his  two  friends  and  Esquire  Marsh, 
he  presented  himself  at  the  Court  of  King's 
Bench;  and  being  firought  into  the  midst  of  it^  hef 


S'H 


T73  tIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX^ 

addressed  the  Court  in  this  manner  :  "  Peace  be 
among  you."  The  charge  was  then  read;  and 
when  they  came  to  that  part,  which  charged  him 
and  his  friends  with  imbroiling  the  nation  in  blood, 
lie  stretched  out  his  arms  and  said,  "  I  am  the 
man  whom  that  charge  is  against  ;*'  and  proceed- 
ing, he  showed  the  utter  improbability  of  its 
truth,  from  his  being  permitted  to  come  from  Lon- 
caster  without  any  guard,  or  even  giving  bail  for 
his  appearance.  The  Judges  and  the  people  be- 
haved with  moderation  and  kindness,  seeing  the 
case  in  its  proper  light;  but  there  seemed  some 
difficulty  in  bringing  the  matter  to  a  regular  conclu- 
sion. Esquire  Marsh  told  the  Court,  that  it  was 
the  King's  pleasure  that  George  Fox  should  be 
^set  at  liberty,  as  no  accuser  appeared  against  him. 
He  was  then  asked  whether  he  would  put  it  to  the 
King  and  Council,  to  which  he  answered,  "  Yes, 
uith  a  good  will."  The  consequence  of  this  was, 
that  he  was  soon  liberated,  without  a  personal  ap- 
pearance before  the  King,  after  having  been  a 
prisoner  about  twenty  weeks.  He  was  advised, 
by  some  persons  in  authority,  to  take  the  advan- 
tage of  tlie  law  against  Justice  Porter  and  others, 
who  committed  him;  and  the  Justice  indeed  was 
much  afraid  of  it;  but  George,  with  his  wonted 
liberality,  declined  the  proposal,  leaving  tliem  ^e 
the  XiOrd,  and  not  troubling  himself  with  them. 


€HAP.  xni. 

1 660-2 — Short  Cessation  of  Persecutiori'—'ReTfeu'ed  vn 
account  of  the  Conduct  of'  the  Fifth  Monarchic  Mcn-^» 
George  FoXy  in  London ,  is  taken  up  and  liberated'"^ 
Exerts  himself  for  his  suffering  Friends  here,  and  in 
New  England  and  Malta — Goes  to  Bristol — Returns 
io  London — Travels  Northward — Is  imprisoned  in  Ln^ 
cestershire,  and  liber  at  ed'^Returns  to  London  -  Visits 
the  Eastern  Counties^  and  comes  again  to  London. 

George  fox  and  his  Friends  had  now  a 
short  relaxation  from  suffering.  The  King  com- 
menced his  reign,  with  an  intention  of  granting 
full  liberty  of  conscience,  consistently  with  a  de- 
claration-which  he  made  at  Breda,  previously  to  hi» 
return.  About  seven  hundred  Friends,  who  were 
imprisoned  for  their  religious  principles,  were  no^ 
set  at  liberty;  and  the  face  of  things  was  very  dif- 
ferent, with  respect  to  religious  toleration ;  but  a 
circumstance  occurred  at  this  juncture,  which 
materially  changed  the  scene.  About  this  time, 
the  wicked  insurrection  of  the  Fifth  Monarchy- 
men  broke  out,  by  which  a  great  commotion  was 
excited  in  the  whole  nation.*     All  dissenters,  it 

*  The  Fifth  Monarchy  Men  were  a  set  who  aro^e 
in -the  time  of  Cromwell,  expecting  Christ's  sudden  ap- 
pearance upon  earth,  to  establish  a  new  kingdom ;  and  act- 
ing in  consequence  of  this  illusion,  aimed  at  the  subveraoa 
of  all  humau  government. 

P,2 


i7Q 


kPFE   OF  €£OBG£    FOX. 


seems,  were  involved  in  suspicioB,  and  their  me^- 
ings  attempted  to  be  suppressed.    The  insurrection 
<xf  these  deluded  men  took  place  whilst  Geo.  Fox 
ivas  in  London ;  and  he,  fearing  probabiy  that  hiir 
Friends  would   be  suspected,   having   had   large 
meetings  the  day  before,  went  the  next  morning 
to  Whitehall ;  and  a  number  of  his  Friends  came 
to  him  at  a  house  in  Pall-Mall,  though  it  was  then 
very  dangerous  to  walk  in  the  streets,   the  city 
being  generally  in  arms.     He  continued  in  Pall 
Mall,    till    the   First    Day   following,    intending 
to  be  at  meeting  there  that  day;  but  the  night  be- 
fore a  party  of  soldiers  come  to  arrest  him,  and 
would  have  executed  their  purpose,  had  they  not 
been  prevented  by  Esquire  Marsh,  who,  out  of  hi» 
regard  for  George  Fox,  slept  in  tlie  house  to  pro* 
tect  him.     It  was,  however,  agreed  that  he  should 
be  ready  in  the  morning,  when  the  soldiers  were  to 
return  for  him;   but  before  they  came,  another 
party  had  taken  him  away  to   Whitehall,     llie- 
soldiers  and  people  were  very  rude  in  their  beha^ 
viour  to  him  ;  yet  this  did  not  prevent  George 
from  endeavouring  to  turn  them  from  the  evil  o^ 
their  ways,  and  preaching  the  truth  to  them.   Some 
persons  in  authority  coming  by  at  this  time,  ordered 
him  to  be  put  into  a  place  of  close  confinement^ 
but  he  did  not  continue  long  there,  his  kind  friend 
Marsh  having  spoken  to  Lord  Gerrard  on  his  be-«- 
half  j  who  ordered  George  Fox  to  be  set  at  liberty. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX* 


173 


He  now  exerted  himself  as  much  as  possible  to 
assist  his  Friends  in  their  distress,  and  with  some 
others  drew  up  a  paper,  disclaiming  all  concern  in 
plots  and  fighting ;  but  such  was  the  violence  of 
the  times,  that  it  was  seized  and  suppressed  whilst 
it  was  printing.  George,  however,  with  his  usual 
intrepidity,  never  flinched  from  danger  when  likely 
to  be  useful ;  but  went  about  the  city,  in  thi» 
perilous  time,  visiting  his  Friends  and  eiMiou- 
raging  them  under  their  sufferings.  He  also  wrote 
a  consolatory  epistle  to  those  whom  he  could  not 
personally  visit ;  and  the  former  declaration  against 
plots  and  fighting  being  lost,  whilst  in  the  press, 
another  was  drawn  up  and  printed,  copies  of  which 
were  sent'  to  the  King  and  Council,  and  others 
sold  in  the  streets  of  London  and  elsewhere.  It  \va» 
presented  to  the  King  on  the  21st  of  1 1th  month, 
1 660,  and  seems  to  have  been  of  considerable  ser- 
vice. Whil&t  George  Fox  was  thus  engaged, 
Margaret  Fell  and  Thomas  Moor,  v/ith  some 
other  Friends,  applied  to  the  King  personally, 
who,  after  much  importunity,  issued  a  declaration 
tbat  Friends  should  he  set  at  liberty,  without  pay- 
ing fees.  Many  thousands  were  in  prison,  in  con- 
sequence  of  the  rising  of  thc'Fifth  Monarchy-men, 
which  threw  suspicion  on  all  who  were  not  mani- 
festly of  the  Royal  party.  Partly  from  fear,  and 
partly  from  revenge,  much  blood  was  shed  thii 
year,  on  various  accounts.    "-This^"  soys  GeOi^ 

»3 


ir* 


XIPE  or  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX, 


T75 


\pM 


^ 


Fox,  "  was  sad  work,  destroying  people  contrary 
to  the  nature  of  Christians,  who  have  the  nature 
of  sheep  and  lambs.  But  there  was  a  secret  hand 
in  bringing  this  day  upon  that  hypocritical  genera- 
tion of  professors,  who  being  got  into  power,  grew 
proud,  haughty  and  cruel  beyond  others,  and  per- 
Becuted  the  people  of  God  without  pity."  Here 
he  enlarges  much  on  their  faithless  conduct,  and 
relates  many  warnings  which  they  received  from 
different  Friends,  without  the  desired  effect.  He 
also  gives  the  following  instance  of  their  intolerant 
spirit :  At  a  time  when  some  liberty  was  granted  by 
(he  government,  a  priest  of  Plymouth,  in  great  re- 
pute under  the  Commonwealth,  prayed  "  that  God 
would  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  the  chief  magis* 
trates  of  the  nation,  to  remove  this  cursed  tolera- 
tion." Nor  was  this  a  solitary  instance,  for  several 
©ther  priests  prayed  against  it  by  the  name  of  "  the 
intolerable  toleration."  O  temporal  O  mores  1 
O  preces!*  ''Say  not  the  former  times  were 
better  than  theseJ* 

In  the  year  156 1,  accounts  were  received  in  thi». 
Ration,  of  the  cmel  persecution  of  Friends  in  New 
England,  several  of  wlioiq  were  put  to  death  for 
their  religion.     At  the  time  of  their  execution,, 
ijeorge  Fox  was  prisoner   in  Lancaster  Castli^, 

-*What  times  L  What  naan«ers!  What  prayert^t 


where  he  had  a  sense  of  their  sufferings,  and  felt 
as  if  the  halter  was  put  about  his  own  neck.  Oi> 
receiving  the  account  which  confirmed  these  feel- 
iugs,  application  was  made  to  the  King,  by 
Friends  here,  on  behalf  of  their  suffering  brethren, 
in  America  ;  and  a  mandamus  was  readily  granted, 
to  put  a  stop  to  the  cruelties  exercised  by  the  per- 
secutors of  New  England.  George  Fox  says  they 
*'  were  a  people  who  fled  out  of  Old  Englandt, 
from  the  persecution  of  the  Bishops ;  but  whea 
they  had  got  power  into  their  hands,  they  so  far 
exceeded  the  Bishops  in  severity  and  cruelty,  that 
"whereas  the  Bishops  had  made  them  pay  twelve 
pence  a  Sunday,  (so  called,)  for  not  coming  to  their 
worship  here,  they  imposed  a  fine  of  five  shillings- 
a  day,  upon  such  as  should  not  conform  to  their 
will -worship  there;  and  spoiled  the  goods  of 
Friends  that  coidd  not  pay  it."  The  inconsistent 
and  violent  conduct  of  diese  great  pretenders  to- 
religion,  seems  to  have  often  kindled  George  Fox's- 
honest  indignation.  Some  of  the  New  England 
magistrates  coming  over  to  England,  he  and  other 
Friends  took  several  opportunities  of  conversing 
with  them ;  by  which  the  magistrates  were  so^ 
alarmed^  lest  they  should  be  prosecuted  for  mur- 
der, that  they  soon  returned  to  New  England. 
Some  of  the  old  Royalists  were  very  desirous  that 
Friends  would  prosecute  them  ;  but  George  Fox. 
vays;  with  his  usual  Chustian  spirit;^  **  we  told  theil^ 


>76 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FO^, 


\^^ 


that  we  left  them  to  the  Lord,  to  whom  vengeance 
belonged,  and  he  would  repay  it/' 

The  Episcopal  Church  being  now  restored,  the 
Bishops  and  Clergy  were  earnest  in  the  re-establish- 
ment of  their  form  of  worship ;  and  not  content  with 
the  liberty  of  worshippingGod  themselves,according 
to  their  own  judgment,  they  endeavoured  to  obtain 
laws,  in  which  they  were  too  succes^ul,  to  com- 
pel others  to  conform  to  the  same.    This  induced 
George  Fox  to  publish  a  paper  on  the  nature  and 
freedom  of  Christ's  worship,  and  on  the  impro- 
priety of  using  compulsory  means  to  promote  or 
establish  it.     He  was  also,  about  this  time,  en- 
gaged  in    verbal    controversies    with   people   of 
almost  all  religious  professions.     The  Papists  and 
Jesuits  were  then  disposed  to  speak  favourably 
of  Friends,  and  endeavoured  to  ingratiate  them- 
selves into  their  favour;   but  George  seems  to- 
Lave  been  soon  sensible  of  their  insincerity ;  and 
in  a  discourse  with  them,  laid  open  their  error;* 
and  superstitions,  so  that  they  no  longer  manifested 
the  same   favourable   disposition.     His  intuitioa 
into  the  characters  of  those  with  whom  he  con- 
versed, and  his  uncommon  integrity  and  firmness- 
of  mind,  made  him  alike  uninfluenced  either  by 
fear  or  favour  ;  and  gave  him  also  such  an  honesty 
though  not  a  haughty,  independence  of  mind,  a* 
lew  xaea  have  poss^ssed^ 


VFE  OP  GEORGE  TOX* 


17T 


T 


He  now  resided  a  considerable  time  in  London 
attending  to  various  matters  relating  to  the  society^ 
which  he  had  been  the  means  of  establishing.*- « 
He  took  one  journey  into  Essex,  and  had  som^ 
very  large  meetings  at  Colchester.    Near  Cogges- 
hall,  a  priest  was  convinced  ;  and  George  had  a 
meeting  at  his  house.     But  about  this  time,  the 
people's  minds  were  so  much  inflamed  with  the 
conduct  of  the  Fifth  Monarchy-men,  that  religious 
meetings  of  dissenters,  and  particularly  of  Friends^ 
were  much  disturbed.     That  people  bad  fixed  the 
year   1666   for   Christ's  personal  appearance  on 
earth ;  and  expected  that  the  Saints  would,  by  the 
means  of  war,   obtain   the   government.      WHh 
these  sentiments  George  Fox   was  so  far  from 
uniting,  that  he  had,  by  a  paper  which  he  pub-^ 
lished,  endeavoured  to  lay  open  their  errors  ;  but^ 
when  popular  prejudice,  especially  if  accompanied 
with  the  fear  of  personal  injury,  is  once  excited,  it 
is   not  soon  allayed  ;  and  many  persons,  at  this 
time,  suffered  very  innocently,  on  account  of  the 
conduct  of  these  misguided  religionists. 

About  this  time,  a  circumstance  occurred,  on  a 
Subject  which  had  caused  considerable  exercise  ta 
Friends.  The  legality  of  their  marriages,  thougH 
they  had  been  conducted  with  great  deliberation 
and  solemnity,  was  sometimes  disputed;  and  mucb 
iNdCeitainty  seems  to  have  existed  on  the  subject  "^ 


"I 


173 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


I^IFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


i7jr 


-ii; 


but  George  Fox  relates  a  trial  at  the  Assizes  at 
Nottingham,  this  year,  before  Judge  Archer,  by 
which  their  legality  was  fully  established;  nor  has 
it  been,  I  believe,  since  that  time,  brought  into 
dispute.  This  trial  must  have  afforded  great  relief 
to  the  rising  Society;  and  would,^DO  doubt;  excite 
grateful  feelings  in  their  minds. 

The  testimony  which  George  TPox  and  his 
friends,  considered  it  their  duty  tu  bear  against 
swearing  of  all  kinds,  subjected  them  to  the  mali- 
cious administration  of  the  oaths  of  Allegiance 
and  Supremacy,  by  those  who  were  unfavourably 
disposed  towards  them.  Although  their  fidelity 
to  the  Government  was  not  disputed,  they  being 
willing  in  the  most  solemn  manner  they  consist- 
ently could,  to  declare  their  assent  to  the  subjects 
of  these  oaths ;  yet  their  enemies  often  made  use 
of  this  means,  to  subject  them  to  great  suffering. 
On  this  occasion,  George  Fox  gave  forth  a  short 
piece  on  oaths,  in  which  he  concisely  states  the 
argument  in  this  manner  :  The  world  saith,  "  Kiss 
the  book ;"  but  the  book  saith,  "  Kiss  the  Son, 
lest  he  be  angry;"  and  the  Son  saith,  "  Swear 
not  at  all ;  but  keep  to  yea  and  nay  in  all  your 
communication ;  for  what  is  more  than  this  com* 
eth  of  evil."  Notwithstanding  this  clear  and  simple 
argument,  not  only  the  practice  of  swearing  con- 
tiaued;  but  those  who  conscientiously  declined  it^ 


were  subjected  to  great  suffering,  on  this  as  well 
as  other  accounts.  So  numerous  and  grievous  were 
tliese  sufferings,  that  George  Fox  and  Richard 
Hubbertliorn,  presented  an  account  of  them  to  the 
King;  in  which  they  state,  that  three  thousand  one 
hundred  and  seventy-three  persons  of  their  So- 
ciety, had  been  imprisoned  during  the  Common- 
wealth, for  their  religious  principles;  thirty-two 
of  whom  had  died,  and  seventy-three  still  remained 
in  prison.    They  also  stated  that,  since  the  King's 
restoration,  three  thousand  and  sixty-eight  of  their 
Friends,  had  been  imprisoned,  besides  many  other 
sufferings  to  which  they  were  subjected.     These 
things  were  strongly,  but  modestly,  laid  before  tlie 
King ;  yet  we  have  reason  to  believe  with  very 
little  effect. 

George  Fox  seems  to  have  possessed  great  Fen- 
sibility  of  mind^  for  the  sufferings  of  others;  and 
we  may  naturally  suppose,  those  of  hb  own  So- 
ciety would  particularly  engage  his  attention.  In 
the  year  l66%  being  informed  of  the  imprison- 
ment of  Catharine  Evans  and  Sarah  Chevers^  ia 
the  Inquisition  on  the  Island  of  Malta,  he  applied 
to  a  Roman  Catholic  Nobleman,  (Lord  D'Aubigny) 
who  promised  to  use  his  influence  to  obtain  their 
release;  and  which  he  at  length  effected.  With 
him,  George  had  some  very  free  and  satisfactory 
religious  conversation  ;  and  never  heard  a  Papist 
confess  so  much  as  he  did. 


180 


t«IF£   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


lilFE    OF   GEORGE    FOIT. 


ntr 


'  >.ilCi 


Having  coDtinaed  nearly  two  years  in  and  about 
London,  he  again  went  into  die  country,  taking 
Alexander  Parker  and  John  Stubbs  with  him. 
Visiting  the  meetings  of  Friends  in  their  way,  they 
came  to  Bristol,  where  persecution  was  very  hot; 
but  this  was  no  discouragement  to  his  intrepid 
spirit.  He  <:ontinued  here  about  two  weeks^ 
•nd,  on  the  latter  first  day,  which  he  spent  in  that 
city,  his  friends,  knowing  of  the  resolution  which 
the  Magistrates  had  formed  to  take  him,  and  that 
they  had  even  raised  the  Trained  Bands,  used 
much  persuasion  to  discourage  him  from  attend- 
ing the  meeting.  He  desired  them  to  go 
to  it,  without  informing  them  of  his  owa 
intention.  However,  he  soon  followed,  and 
when  he  came  to  the  meeting,  a  woman  Friend 
^Margaret  I'homas)  was  preachmg.  Soon  after 
che'^had  concluded,  George  stood  up,  which  at 
first  excited  great  fear  and  concern  in  the  minds 
of  his  timid  friends ;  but  the  power  with  which  he 
«pake  soon  removed  their  fear;  and  to  use  his 
own  words,  "  an  heavenly  glorious  meeting  we 
had.'*  After  preaching,  he  was  engaged  in  sup^ 
plication;  and  during  diese  religious  public  en- 
gagements no  interruption  was  given,  llie  soldiers 
■who  were  to  have  broken  up  this  meeting,  had 
teen  engaged  elsewhere;  and  when  they  came 
iiere,  the  meeting  was  separated.  At  the  conclur 
sion  of  the  meeting,  George,  with  tliat  pious  re- 


ference to  a  Divine  Providence  which  he  con- 
stantly manifested,  told  his  friends,  "  that  now 
they  might  see  there  was  a  God  in  Israel  that 
could  deliver."  «  It  was  indeed,"  he  says,  "  the 
immediate  power  of  the  Lord  that  preserved  me 
out  of  their  hands  at  Bristol,  and  over  the  heads 
of  all  our  persecutors ;  and  the  Lord  alone  is  wor- 
thy of  all  the  glory,  who  did  uphold  aud  presery* 
for  his  name  and  truth's  sake." 

Leaving  Bristol,  he  came  through  Wiltshire  ani 
Berkshire  to  London,  having  large  meetings  in  his 
way,   respecting  which  he  says  :    <'  The  Lord's 
power  was  over  all,  and  a  blessed  time  it  was  for 
the  spreading  of  his  glorious  truth."     He  did  not 
continue  long  in  London,  but  travelled  northward, 
till   he   came   into   Leicestershire:;   having  John 
Stubbs  with  him.     At  Swanington,  he  was  ar- 
rested  by  Lord   Beaumont   and   a   company   of 
soldiers,  whilst  in  a  Friend's  house;  and  nothing 
sufficient  appearing,   on  which  to  ground  a  com- 
mitment, the  oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy 
were  tendered;  for  the  refusal  of  which,  and  be- 
cause they  ^'  were  to  have  had  a  meeting,"  he 
committed  several  persons  to  Leicester  jail.     It 
was,  however,   very  difficult  to  find  any  one  to 
convey  tliem  there,  it  being  harvest  time,  and  the 
people  disliking  the  employment,  of  taking  their 
itim>ccut  and  respectable  neighb«ais  to  priswi. 


18S 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


One  man  was  with  some  difficulty  hired,  who  con- 
veyed them   to   Leicester,  where  they  were  first 
taken  to  an  inn,  the  occupier  of  which,   being  a 
Magistrate,  kindly  interested  himself  to  prevent 
their  going  to  jail ;  but  several  Friends  being  there 
already,  George  Fox  and  his  company  preferred 
their  society,  to  remaining   in  confinement  else- 
where.    The  Jailer  was  a  man  of  an  unkind  dis- 
position, and  had  treated  the  Friends  there  with 
great  cruelty ;  particularly  in  their  meetings  which 
ihey  held  in  the  prison  ;  on  which  occasions,  if 
any  of  them  were  engaged  in  public   prayer,  he 
would  come  among  them  with  his  staff,  aud  beat 
and  abuse  them ;  but  a  mastiff  dog  which  accom- 
panied him,  and  which  possessed  more  humanity 
than  his  master,  would  frequently  seize  his'  staff 
autl  take  it  from  him,  when  he  was  using  it  in  this 
imchristian  manner.    Notwithstanding  this  violent 
disposition  in  the  Jailer,  George  Fox  held  meet- 
ings every  first  day  in  the  prison  yard ;  to  which 
the  prisoners  of  all  descriptions  were  invited,  and 
several  others  attended.     "  Some,"  he  observes, 
«  received  the  Lord's  truth  there,  who  stood  faith- 
ful witnesses  for  it  ever  since." 


When  the  time  of  the  Quarter  Sessions  came 
on,  George  Fox,  and  about  twenty  other  Friends, 
were  brought  into  court,  where  the  oaths  were 
a<yain  tendered  to  ensnare  them.    After  some  time 


UFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


T8S 


they  were  put  upon  their  trial,  and  the  Jury  found 
them  guilty,  on  a  mittimus  which  did  not  char<ye 
them  with  the  breach  of  any  laws,  but  that  "  they 
were  to  have  a  meeting."     The  administration  of 
law  and  equity,  was  indeed  still  mixed  with  vio- 
Jence  and  oppression ;  party  spirit,  in  these  trou- 
blesome times,  greatly  prevailing  in  those  courts, 
which  ought  to  have  administered  justice  to  the 
people,  aud  to  have  softened  the  temper  of  the 
times.     Though  the  prisoners  were  found  guilty, 
and  remanded  to  jail ;  yet  the  Court,  sensible,  it 
«eems,  of  the  impropriety  of  the  mittimus,  or  from 
some  other  cause,  sent  the  Jailer  with  a  message 
which  he  delivered  in  these  civil  terms:  "  Gentle- 
men, it  is. the  Court's  pleasure  that  ye  should  be 
set  at  liberty,  except  those  that  are  in  for  tithes : 
and  you  know  there  are  fees  due  to  me ;  but  I 
«hall  leave  it  to  you  to  give  me  what  you  will." 

George  Fox  and  his  friends  being  now  liberated, 
he  returned  to  Swanington,  from  which  place  he  was 
committed;  and  went  to  Lord  Beaumont,  with  a 
letter  he  had  received  from  Lord  Hastings,  writ- 
ten in  London,  addressed  to  the  Justices  of  the 
Session.  This  letter  George  did  not  think  proper 
to  deliver  to  them,  though  intended  to  procure  hi» 
liberty.  Beaumont,  however,  still  threatened, 
that  if  he  and  his  friends  had  any  more  meetings 
at  Swanington,  he  would  break  them  up,  and  send 


384 


X1I'£  OE  eEORGE  FOX'. 


the  Friends  again  to  prison ;  which,  however,  le 
did  not  put  in  execution,  though  George,  notwith- 
standing his  threats,  had  a  meeting  at  that  time 
with  his  friends  at  this  place. 

He  now  passed  through  the  counties  of  Waiv 
wick,  Northampton,  and  Bedford,  to  Iwondon^ 
where  he  staid  but  a  short  time ;  and  went  into 
Essex,  Suffolk,  Norfolk,  and  Lincolnshire;  re» 
tuming  by  Cambridgeshire  and  Hertfordshire  to. 
London.  Of  this  journey  he  observes,  ^^  The 
Lord's  power  carried  us  over  the  persecuting  spi- 
fits,  and  through  many  dangers ;  aud  his  truth 
spread  and  greW;  and  Friends  were  established 
therein  j  praises  and  glory  to  his  name  for  ever !" 


tiJ 


CHAP.  XIV. 


3^^2-3— F/«V*  Friends  in  the  City-^Trateh  into  Kent, 
Sussex,  Sre.  to  Cornuall-^Retunis  throvgh  Dcxon^ 
Bristol,  4-c.  to  JVates-^TAence  info  the  Northern 
Counties  as  far  as  Northumberland  (tnd  Cumberland^-- 
Comes  to  Swart hmore— Is  committed  to  Lancaster  Jail 
'^Undergoes  a  long  and  cruel  Imprisonment  there  and 
at  Scarborough, 

George  fox  now  continued  in  London 
a  short  time,  visiting  the  meetings  of  his  friends, 
'^  which  were  very  large,  and  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  all/'  He  and  Thomas  Biij^gs,  leavincr 
the  city,  travelled  into  Kent,  and  had  meetings  at 
Ashford,  Craubrook,  aud  Tentcrden.  At  the  last 
place  they  were  arrested  by  an  ofiicer  with  a  party 
of  soldiers,  and  ex^^mined  by  him,  the  Major  of 
the  place,  and  a  Lieutenant;  all  of  whom  were 
Justices  of  the  Peace.  After  a  lona  examinatioij. 
m  which  George  Fox  had  an  opportunity  of  ex- 
plaming  various  matters,  and  of  giving  them  .some 
religious  advice,  they,  being  sensible  of  his  and  his 
friend's  innocence,  at  length,  liberated  them  in  a 
handsome  manner,  which  he  as  handsomely  ac- 
knowledged, telling  them  their  clviiLiy  was: 
Aoblee 


;  HI 


nS 


ttlPE  OP  GliOtlGE  tOX* 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


1^7 


From  Tenterden,  George  and  bis  companion 
went  to  Newick,  iu  Sussex,  and  had  several  Jarge 
meetings  in  that  county  and  Hampshire.  After 
jiaving  a  good  meeting  at  Southampton,  they  went 
to  Pulmer,  or  Pulner,  in  the  parish  of  Ringwood ; 
Avhere  a  monthly  meeting  was  to  be  held  tlie  next 
day.  The  report  of  this  meeting  and  of  Grcorge 
Fox  attending,  seems  to  have  spread  and  caused 
iBome  alarm ;  so  that  the  Trained  Bands,  a  sort  of 
local  militia,  I  suppose,  were  raised  to  break  it 
tip.  Coming  to  the  place,  a  considerable  time 
"before  the  meeting,  they  did  not  wait  till  it  com- 
menced; but  taking  some  Friends  with  them,  whom 
they  found  in  the  house  or  met  on  the  way,  they 
departed.  The  meeting,  which  was  very  large, 
was  held  without  any  disturbance,  and  with  much 
satisfaction.  Tlie  Magistrates  being  informed, 
that  notwithstanding  their  attempts  to  prevent  it, 
the  meeting  was  held,  sent  the  soldiers  a  second 
time,  but  too  late;  for  it  was  then  over,  and 
Friends  gone;  by  which  -  the  persecuting  Magi- 
strates and  Officers  were  much  disappointed  and ' 
enraged.  After  this  meeting,  George  Fox  and 
Iiis  companion,  rode  about  twenty  miles  *'  to  one 
Frje's  in  Wiltshire,"  where  they  had  a  quiet  and 
■good  meeting  the  ncNt  day. .  Here  again  it  was -^ 
intended  to  break  up  the  meeting;  but  those  who  , 
"were  to  have  done  so  were  called  off  by  a  house 
lieing;.  broken  into  in  the  neighbourhood.     Thus 


diese  adversaries  were  disappointed  of  their  ma- 
licious designs.  Indeed,  Providence  seemed  la 
interfere  various  ways  between  Friends  and  their 
persecutors ;  and  particularly  by  bringing  them  to 
a  sense  of  the  impropriety  of  their  severe  conduct, 
when  under  bodily  affliction.  Of  this,  George 
Fox  here  relates  an  instance  in  a  constable,  who, 
being  in  a  very  afflicted  state  of  bodv  and  mind, 
wished  "  he  had  never  meddled  with  the  Quakers; 
confessing  that  he  never  prospered  since  he  had 
a  hand  in  persecuting  them,  and  tliat  he  thought 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  against  hioi  for  it." 

In  1663,  passing  through  Wiltshire,  George  Fox 
and  Thomas  Briggs  came  into  Dorsetshire,  Devon- 
shire, and  Cornwall ;  having  many  large  and  good 
meetings.  At  Topsham,  they  met  with  Margaret 
Fell  and  two  of  her  daughters,  also  Leonard  Fell, 
and  Thomas  Salthouse,  all  from  Lancashire  ;  and 
having  been  heretofore  intimately  acquainted^  the 
meeting  musk  have  been  mutually  pleasant. 

After  finishing  their  gospel -labours  in  Cornwall, 
they  came  through  part  of  Devonshire  into  Somer- 
•etshire,  in  which  county  two  general  meetings 
were  held,  which  were  very  large,  peaceable,  and 
satisfactory  ;  as  were  other  meetings  in  those 
parts..  They  now  came  to  Bristol,  whence,  after 
having  some  religious  service,  ihey  went  to  Slat— 
teuford,  in  Wiltshire,  where  they  had  a  very  large.: 


\i 


f  =  : 


I8S 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


meeting  in  a  barn:  "  The  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus> 
was  published ;  and  n»any  were  gathered  by  it  into 
the  name  of  the  Lord." 


lm~ 


George  Fox  now  travelled  throaghr  various 
counties  in  England,  and  part  of  Wales,  till  he 
eame  to  York,  "  having  many  meetings  in  the  way ; 
and  the  Lord's  everlasting  power  was  over  all." 
Leaving  York  he  went  to  Boroughbridge,  where 
he  had  a  very  satisfactory  meeting.  Passing 
through  the  county  of  Durham,  he  came  into 
Westmoreland,  and  afterwards  to  Swarthmore ; 
where  he  continued  but  a  short  time.  He  had 
meetings  at  several  places  in  these  parts,  where  he 
had  laboured  much  and  with  great  success,  a  few 
years  before  ;  after  which  he  went  by  Strickland- 
head,  where  he  had  a  large  meeting  on  a  common, 
into  Northumberland.  At  Dcrwent-Water,  ia 
this  county,  he  wa*  accosted  by  an  ancient  woii?an> 
with  a  message  of  love  from  her  husband,  whomi 
George,  it  seems,  had  formerly  designated  by  the 
name  of  "  the  tall  white  old  man."  He  was  now 
one  hundred  and  twenty  two  years  of  age,  and' 
would  have  come  to  the  meeting,  had  not  his 
Iiorses  been  engaged.  He  lived  several  years  aftef 
^is  time. 


Having  visited  Friends  in  Northumberland,  he 
came  ta**^oIdThomaa  Bewlay^  in  Cumberland,''' 


tlFE    OF  GEORGE    FOX*. 


T8J> 


where  he  had   "  a  large  and  precious  meeting  ;'* 
though  persecution  was  very  prevalent  in  these* 
parts,  and  the  deputy  governor  of  Carlisle,  (Mus- 
grave,)  appears  to  have  been  a  great  promoter  of 
it.     George   Fox  however  met  with  no  disturb- 
ance, but  had  large  and  quiet  meetings  at  several 
places,   particularly  at   Wigton    and   Pardshaw- 
Crag.     From  these  parts  he  went  by  Keswick 
into   Westmoreland,   and,   on   his   entering   that, 
county,   was  informed  that  Justice  Fleming  had 
offered  five  pounds  for  his  apprehension.    He  was 
now  at  his  friend  Francis  Benson's  house,  who 
lived  near  this  Justice ;  but  though  met  by  a  man- 
to  whom  the  offer  had  been  made,  and  who  knew 
George  Fox,  he  passed  through  this  part  of  the 
country  without  any  interruption,  and  came  agaia 
to  Swarthmore  ;  where  Colonel  Kirby  had  sent  to 
search  for  him.     The  next  day  George  went  to« 
his  house,  where  he  found  the  Flemings  on  a  visit 
to  the  Colonel,  who  was  then  about  leaving  home 
to   attend   the   Parliament  in  London.     George 
had  much  conversation  with  them,  after  which 
they  parted  in  a  friendly  manner,  the  Colonel  tell- 
ing him  that  he  had  nothing  against  him  ;  and 
others  of  the  company  said  that  he  was  a  deserving^ 
man. 


i 


He    now   returned    to    his    kind    friends,   at 
Swarthmore,  where  he  heard  of  a  private  meet- 


190 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


I 


I 


ing  at  a  Justice's  house,  at  uhich  a  warrant  was 
granted  to  apprehend  him;  the  operation  of  which 
he  not  only  had  time  to  escape,  but  his  mind  was 
also  at  liberty  from  any  religious  service  in  those 
parts.  However,  he  apprehended  that  his  with- 
drawing himself,  might  cause  the  suffering  to  fall 
heavier  upon  his  Friends.  There  appears  to  have 
been  a  plot,  at  this  time,  formed  in  the  North  of 
England  against  the  King;  and  George,  it  seems^ 
feared  that  his  departure,  might  give  occasion  for 
suspicion  of  some  concern  in  this  plot.  He  there- 
fore waited  the  execution  of  the  warrant ;  and  an 
officer  came  with  a  sword  and  pistols  to  appre- 
hend him,  with  whom,  after  some  conversation,  he 
went  to  Houlker  Hall,  the  seat  of  Justice  Preston, 
at  whose  house  the  warrant  was  issued ;  his  friend 
Margaret  Fell  accompanying  him.  Here  a  num- 
ber of  Justices  and  others  were  collected,  before 
whom  he  underwent  a  long  examination ;  the 
result  of  which  was,  the  tendering  to  him  the 
oath  of  allegiance.  This,  was  the  common  snare 
for  George  Fox  and  his  Friends,  when  their  ene- 
mies could  not  fix  the  breach  of  any  law  upon 
them.  Like  the  sacrament  to  the  Reformers  from 
Popery,  the  oalh  became  a  kind  of  test  of  the  re- 
Kgious  principles  of  our  early  Friends ;  and  was 
made  a  snare  in  which  their  adversaries  endeavour- 
ed to  entrap  them ;  and  by  this  means  to  bring 
them  under  confinement^  and  perhaps  other  pu- 


191 


ttishment.  On  George  Fox's  refusal  to  take  the 
oath,  it  was  at  first  intended  to  send  him  to  Lan- 
caster jail;  but  he  was  afterwards  dismissed,  on 
his  engaging  to  appear  at  the  succeeding  Sessions 
diere,  which  he  accordingly  did.  The  Justices  on 
the  Bench,  were  Fleming,  Spencer,  West,  and 
Kawlinson.  After  some  parley  about  his  hat,  he 
was  examined  respecting  the  plot  already  men- 
tioned. Of  this  plot  George  was  not  only  inno- 
cent, but  having  heard  of  it  by  a  Friend,  who  re- 
ceived his  information  from  the  High  SherifJ'  of 
Yorkshire,  he  wrote  a  paper  of  advice  on  the  sub- 
ject, to  his  Friends,  to  keep  clear  of  all  such 
things;  a  copy  of  which  he  also  sent  to  several 
Magistrates,  and  even  to  the  King.  The  Justices 
finding  nothing  on  which  to  criminate  him,  ten- 
dered him  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy ; 
and  after  much  discourse  on  the  subject  of  swear- 
ing, they  committed  him  to  prison.  Tliis  was  in 
the  year  \663,  and  he  continued  a  prisoner  here 
till  1665,  several  of  his  Friends  being  also  in  pri- 
son, for  various  matters  connected  with  their  reli- 
gious principles.  During  this  long  confinement, 
he  underwent  several  examinations  at  the  Assizes, 
and,  simply  for  his  refusing  to  take  an  oath,  con- 
sistently with  the  express  command  of  Christ,  he 
was  continued  in  prison  the  time  mentioned.  In 
his  examinations  he  dearly  stated,  that  those 
things  mentioned  in  the  oath,  as  plotting  against 
the  King,  or  owning  the   Pope's  supremacy,  or 


i9% 


1.IFE  OF  GEORGE  POX. 


CIFE   OF  GE0B6E   FOX. 


195 


tiiat  of  any  other  foreign  power,  he  utterly  de- 
nied; but  be  could  not  consistently  make  this 
declaration  in  the  form  of  an  oath.  At  the  second 
Assizes  an  indictment  was  preferred  against  him 
for  this  only  offence,  on  which  the  Jury  brought 
him  in  guilty  ;  but  being  brought  up  next  day  to 
receive  sentence,  he  pointed  out  so  many  errors 
and  false  statements  in  the  indictment,  that  the 
Judge  was  obliged,  though  reluctantly,  to  liberate 
bim.  The  Judge's  disappointment  was,  however, 
«o  great,  that  he  again  tendered  the  oaths,  which 
produced  a  long  conversation,  in  which  George 
Fox  stated  his  religious  scruples  in  this  manner : 
*'  Ye  have  given  nye  a  book  here  to  kiss ;  but  the 
book  says,  Kiss  the  Son,  and  the  Son  sa^s  in  this 
book.  Swear  not  at  all.  I  say  as  the  book  says, 
yet  ye  imprison  me.  How  comes  it  that  the  book 
k  at  liberty  amongst  jou  which  bids  me  not  swear, 
and  yet  ye  imprison  me  for  doing  as  the  book 
bids  me."  This  simple  explanation,  with  the  de- 
claration already  mentioned,  would  have  induced 
a  just  judge,  to  have  availed  himself  of  the  legal 
opportiwMty  wiikh  was  put  into  his  hands,  to  libe* 
rate  so  conscientious  a  prisoner :  but  such  was 
the  prejudice  excited  in  the  niiuds  of  many  per- 
sons, that  neitlier  gospel,  law,  nor  equity,  were  re^ 
gardcd  in  their  proceedings.  George  Fox  was 
again  put  to  trial  on  the  Judge*s  commitment,  and 
^hen  the  indictment  was  read  in  court,  the  Judge 


said  to  the  clerk,  ''Take  heed  it  be  not  false 
again  :"  so  conscious  was  he  of  the  falsity  of  the  . 
former,  with  respect  to  dates,  &c.  After  George 
had  heard  the  indictment  read,  he  requested  time 
to  consider  of  it.  On  this  some  further  dis* 
course  on  the  subject  of  swearing  ensued,  in  which 
he  expressly  declared,  that  if  he  could  take  any 
oath,  he  should  take  that  then  offered ;  but  that  he 
had  never  takeu  an  oath  in  his  life.  He  also 
stated  to  the  Judge,  that  both  the  early  Christians 
and  the  Reformers  from  Popery,  refused  to  swear, 

in  obedience  to  Christ's  command;  with  other  ob- 
servations, by  which  the  Judge's  mind  appears  to 
have  been  so  much  moderated,  that  he  said  hfi 
wished  the  laws  were  otherwise. 

Tlie  Judge  complying  with  George  Fox's  re- 
quest for  time  to  consider  of  his  indictment,  left 
him  a  prisoner  till  the  next  Assizes.  He  had  al- 
ready suffered  much  during  this  confinement  at 
Lancaster,  by  the  uncomfortable  state  of  his 
prison  ;  and  though  some  melioration  seems  t9 
have  now  been  intended  to  take  place,  he  was  con- 
fined during  the  interval  of  the  Assizes,  which 
included  the  winter  of  l664,  in  a  tower,  in  which 
he  was  greatly  incommoded,  and  sometimes  almost 
smothered  by  the  smoke,  which  came  from 
the  prisoners  confined  under  him.  In  addition 
io  this;  the  roof  of  his  apartment  was  in  such  a 


■"»^ 


194 


LIFE    OF   eEORGE    FOX. 


LIFE     OF  GEOR6E   FOX. 


195 


state,  as  to  expose  his  bed  to  the  wind  and  rain ; 
and  his  cloaths  and  body  were  often  extremely 
wet,  with  endeavouring  to  stop  the  apertures  by 
which  the  rain  entered  his  miserable  habitation. 
Jill  this  time,  he  seems  to  have  been  deprived  of 
the  benefit  of  the  society  of  his  Friends;  for  so 
inveterate  was  the  malice  of  one  of  the  Justices, 
that  he  charged  the  jailer  "  to  keep  his  prisoner 
close,  and  to  suffer  no  flesh  alive  to  come  at  him." 
By  this  confinement  George  Fox*s  health  was 
much  injured;  his  body  was  swelled,  and  his 
limbs  benumbed  :  but  his  mind  seems  to  have  re- 
tained its  confident  in  divine  sufficiency  ;  which 
he  commemorates  m  these  words :  "  The  Lord's 
power  was  over  all,  supported  me  through  all ; 
and  enabled  me  to  do  service  for  him,  and  for  his 
truth  and  people."  ^ 

Another  Assizes  came  on,  and  George  Fox  was 
a»ain  brought  into  court.  He  had  already  exa- 
mined his  indictment,  and  had  found  several  errors 
and  omissions  in  it.  "  Surely,"  says  he,  "  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  was  in  it,  to  confound  their  mis- 
chievous work  against  me,  and  to  blind  them 
therein ;  insomuch  that  although  the  indictment 
was  drawn  at  the  former  Assize,  the  Judge  exa- 
mined it  himself,  and  tried  it  with  the  clerks;  yet 
the  word  subject  was  left  out  of  this  indictment 
also ;  tlie  day  of  the  month  was  put  in  wrong,  and 


1 


several  material  words  of  the  oath  were  left  out; 
yet  they  went  on  confidently,  thinking  all  was  safe 
and  well."  When  George  Fox  was  put  on  his 
trial,  he  began  again  to  show  the  errors  of  the  in- 
dictment ;  but  although  the  Judg?  perceived  he 
was  right,  yet,  instead  of  liberating  him,  he  ordered 
the  jailer  to  take  him  away  to  prison  ;  and  not- 
withstanding the  absence  of  the  prisoner,  the  trial 
proceeded,  the  jury  brought  in  their  verdict,  guilty, 
and  it  appears  that  the  Court  recorded  him  as  a 
premunired  person ;  though  he  was  never  brought 
to  receive  his  sentence,  nor  was  regularly  informed 
of  it.  Suck  was  the  legality,  or  rather  illegality  of 
the  Judges  of  those  days.  But  we  may  perhaps 
find  some  excuse  for  their  conduct,  in  the  unsettled 
state  of  the  times  ;  the  violence  of  many  of  the 
King's  enemies ;  and  the  apprehension  of  plots 
against  his  life  or  government.  Yet,  however  we 
may  be  disposed  to  excuse,  nothing  can  justify  the 
illegal  and  unjust  conduct  of  Judges,  towaids  this 
innocent  sufferer. 

George  Fox  was  now  left  for  imprisonment, 
without  any  prospect  of  its  termination ;  but  the 
Justices  who  had  been  instrumental  in  his  com- 
mitment, and  had  promoted  the  severe  treatment 
he  had  received  whilst  in  jail,  began  to  be  ashamed 
of  their  conduct :  which  he  had^frequently  exposed 
at  the  Assizes,  and  other  times.    They  therefore 

R  % 


m 


IIFE  OP  GEORGE  FOX. 


riFE   OF  GEORGE   FOX. 


19T 


S 


I 


i^ 


©btained  liberty  from  the  King  and  Council,  tore- 
move  him  from  Lancaster  about  six  weeks  after  the 
Assizes;  but  when  hewas  taken  out  of  his  uncomfort- 
able prison,  he  was  so  weak,  that  he  was  scarcely 
able  either  to  walk  or  stand.    Notwithstanding  his 
great  infirmity,  he  was  forced  on  horseback,  and 
treated  with  as  much  cruelty  on  his  removal,  as  he 
had  been  during  his  confinement.    The  first  stage 
at  which  they  stopped  was  Bentham,  where  he 
was  so  much  fatigued,  that  the  soldiers  who  guard- 
ed him,  permitted  him  to  rest  himself  on  a  bed. 
That  night  they  came  to  Giggles  wick,  and  in  two 
days  more  to  York,  not  knowing  all   this  time 
whither  he  was  going;  nor  was  he  permitted,  be- 
fore he  left  Lancaster,  to  see  the  order  for  his 
removal :  all  was  executed  vi  et  armis.     At  York 
he  continued  two  days,  and  received  some  civil 
treatment,  particularly  from  Lord  Frecheville,  who 
commanded  a  troop  of  horse,  and  kindly  visited 
him    in  his  prison ;  the  soldiers  also  were  gene- 
rally  tender    towards   him.      Here   orders   were 
given  to  take  him  to  Scarborough  Castle.     Stop- 
ping  at  Malton,  his  Friends  were  permitted  to 
visit  him,  and  his  guard  conducted  themselves  with 
great  civility  and  kindness.     They  reached  Scar- 
borough  that  night ;  and  the  next  day  he  was  coiir 
veyed  to  the  Castle. 

It  was  not  till  his  removal  from  Lancaster  to 
:^carborough,  that  George  Fox  understood  he  was 


mider  the  sentence  of  a  premimire ;  a  punishment  by 
which  a  person  is  put  out  of  the  King's  protec- 
tion, his  property,  real  and  personal,  is  forfeited  to 
the  King,  and  be  is  to  remain  a  prisoner  during 
the  King's  pleasure.  This  severe  sentence  had 
been  passed  upon  him  without  calling  him  into 
Court  to  receive  it;  and  consequently  without  giv- 
ing him  an  opportunity  to  plead  against  it,  either 
personally,  or  by  counsel.  It  was  upon  this  sentence 
tliat  his  violent  removal  from  Lancaster  to  Scar- 
borough, without  showing  any  legal  authority,  wa» 
supported ;  and,  which  might  probably  be  consi- 
dered sonje  excuse,  for  the  subsequent  cruel  treat-- 
Bient  he  received  whilst  a  prisoner  tliere. 

During  the  first  part  of  his  confinement  at  Scar^ 
borough,  he  was  placed  in  a  room  with  a  centry  to 
guard  him ;  and  being,  from  his  hard  treatment, 
very  weak,  and  subject  to  fainting,  he  was  per- 
mitted to  walk  out  into  the  yard  and  take 
the  air,  but  this  reasonable  indulgence  did  not 
last  long  ;  for  he  was  soon  after  confined  iii^ 
a  room  which  did  not  secure  him  from  the 
rain  ;  where  he  was  also  incommoded  witlr 
smoke.  When  he  had  been  at  some  expence  and 
pains  to  make  this  place  more  comfortable,  hi* 
eruel  keepers  removed  him  into  a  worse,  in  which- 
was  no  chimney ;  and  being  open  towards  the  sea^ 
Ifce  raia  frequently  fell  upon  his  bed>  and  m» 

»3^ 


1^8 


llFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX-, 


tIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX- 


190 


sibout  the  room ;  and  when  he  was  thus  circum- 
stanced  with  wet  and  cold,  he  could  have  no  fire 
to  warm  him.  The  consequence  of  such  treat- 
ment was,  as  may  be  supposed,  very  injurious  to 
his  already  weakened  frame  ;  so  that  his  sufferings 
l)ecame  very  great ;  and,  in  this  distressing  situa- 
tion, he  was  not  permitted,  to  have  the  assistance 
which  his  friends  would  have  willingly  afforded  ; 
they  being  very  rarely  permitted  to  visit  him, 
whilst  others  were  frequently  introduced  to  gaze 
at,  and  insult  hinu  The  soldiers  who  were  srar- 
risoned  in  the  Castle,  were  also  very  unkind  ;  and. 
would  sometimes  contrive  to  deprive  him  of  the 
amall  and  poor  provisions  which  he  had,  A  three- 
penny loaf  generally  served  him  about  three  weeks; 
and  his  drink  was  principally  water,  with  worm- 
wood steeped  in  it.  This  severe  treatment  he  did? 
not  fail  to  represent  to  the  keepers  of  the  Castle,, 
and  contrasted  their  conduct  with  that  of  the  Hea- 
thens, among  whom,  the  Apostle  Paul  was  a  pri- 
soner at  Rome,  to  whom  it  appears  his  friends  had 
free  access.  Indeed  the  treatment  which  the  Apostle 
received  from  the  Heathens,  was,  in  every  respect^ 
more  consistent  with  Christianity,  than  its  perse- 
/cuting  professors  afforded  to  those  who  differed 
from  them.. 

Although  George  Fox's  friends,  many  of  wbon» 

«ame  a  considerable  distance  to  visit  him,   were- 

^med  that  privilege ;  yet  other  people  seem,  ta 


4 


have  had  free  access,  and  he  had  freq^iient  disputes 
on  religious  subjects  with  his  visitors  of  different 
religious  opinions  ;  as  Papists,  Presbyterians,  and 
Episcopalians.  In  these  disputes,  he  manifested 
that  notwithstanding  his  great  bodily  weakness, 
his  mental  powers  retained  their  wonted  vigour ; 
which  he  still  exercised  in  support  of  those  gospel 
truths,  in  which  he  most  surely  believed.  But  it 
was  not  by  argument  alone  that  he  promoted  his 
refigious  sentiments.  His  peaceable  principle 
manifested  itself  in  a  peculiar  manner,  in  the  in-r 
stance  of  one  of  his  fellow-prisoners  challenging 
him  to  fight.  George  perceiving  him  in  a  state 
of  intoxication,  got  out  of  his  way;  but  the  next 
day,  when  the  man  was  sober,  he  came  to  him  and. 
remonstrated  with  him,  on  his  unmanly  conduct, 
in  challenging:  a  man  to  fight,,  whose  principle  he 
knew  would  not  permit  him  to  strike  another;  but 
seeing  he  had  challenged  him,  he  was  now  come 
to  answer  him  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets;  and 
reaching  his  head  towards  him,  said,  "  Here  is 
my  hair,  here  are  my  cheeks,  here  is  my  back." 
The  man  was  so  overcome  with  this  address,  that 
he  ran  away,,  whilst  the  soldiers  laughed  at  him.. 
One  of  the  officers  was  so  well  affected  with  the. 
sight,  that  he  said  to  George  Fox,  "You  are  a. 
Mappy  man,  that  can  bear  such  thiu  s.'' 

After  he  had  been  confined  sometime  in  Scaiv^ 
trough.  Castle,,  the  Governor;  it  appears,  caii»' 


«00 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


201 


Hiider  disgrace;  which  produced  a  little  fellow- 
feeling  for  his  innocent  prisoner,  whom  he  after- 
wards treated  with  more  lenity ;  and  having  occa- 
sion to  go  to  London,  George  desired  him  to 
speak  to  his  old  friend,  Esquire  Marsh,  and  some 
others;  and  inform  them  of  the  particulars  of  his 
confinement.  When  the  Governor  returned,  he 
told  him  that  Marsh  said,  "He  would  go  a  hun- 
dred miles  barefoot  to  obtain  George  Fox's  li- 
berty." Several  other  persons  in  London  also 
spake  favourably  of  him,  which  increased  the  Go- 
vernor's disposition  of  kindness  towards  him. 

Tlie  King  being  now  the  only  person  who  could 
liberate  him  from  his  confinement,  he  was  applied 
to,  by  letter,  in  which  George  gave  the  King  an 
account  of  his  imprisonment,  and  the  hard  usage 
which  he  had  received.  After  this,  John  White- 
head, being  in  London>  applied  to  Esquire  Marsh, 
who  kindly  undertook  the  business  ;  and  a  state- 
ment of  George  Fox's  suffering  case  being  put 
into  his  hands,  he  delivered  it  to  the  Master  of 
Requests,  Sir  John  Birkenhead,  who  obtained  an 
order  from  the  King  for  George  Fox's  release. 
This  his  friend  John  Whitehead  brought  to  Scar- 
borough, aud  delivered  it  to  the  Governor,  Jordan 
Crosslands,  who  readily  put  it  in  execution,  and, 
withoiU  requiring  any  bail,  gave  his  prisoner  ^ 
yassport,  dated  the  first  day  of  September,  iGQGi 


The  Governor,  who  during  the  first  part  of  his 
prisoner's  confinement,  had  treated  him  harshly, 
was  so  softened  in  his  disposition,  that  when  the 
Magistrates  of  the  town  sent  for  soldiers  to  break 
up  Friends'  meetings,  he  gave  his  men  a  secret  or- 
der not  to  meddle  with  them ;  nor  would  he  receive 
a  present,  which  George  Fox  offered  him,  for  the 
civility  and  kindness  which  he  had  latterly  mani- 
fested. The  soldiers  and  their  officers  were  also 
greatly  changed,  and  became  very  respectful  in 
their  conduct.  Their  character  of  him  was,  "  He 
is  as  stiff  as  a  tree,  and  as  pure  as  a  bell ;  for  we 
could  never  bow  him.'* 


i 


CHAP.  XV. 


i 
f 

ii 


lC66  to  \669-^R€marks  on  George  Foxs  Imprisonment 
and  Oaths— After  his  Release,  hears  of  the  Fire  in  Lon» 
don^T ravels  in  diiers  Parts  of  Yorkshire ^  and  through 
the  Counties  (^ Derby,  Nottingham,  Leicester,  «5'C.  to 
LondoH'^Visits  the  Ruins  there-^Gocs  to  Bristol,  and 
returns  to  London^-' Establishes  Meetings  for  Discipline 
in  London  and  most  Parts  of  the  Nation — Also  pro- 
motes Schools — Visits  Esquire  Marsh  in  London'^ 
Disputes  with  a  Papist — Goes  into  Surrey  and  Sussex 
^'Turns  into  IVarwickshirc— Passes  through  Notting- 
hamshire, Yorkshire,  SfC.  to  Liverpool'-~Saiis  for  Ire- 
land, and  visits  Friends  there, 

ifVE  are  now  come  to  the  conclusion  of  a 
long  and  cruel  imprisonment.  It  continued  about 
three  years,  above  one  of  which  was  at  Scarbo- 
rough, and  the  rest  of  the  time  at  Lancaster.  The 
fortitude  and  meekness  with  which  it  was  endured^ 
was  consistent  with  the  character  of  a  Christian, 
suffering  for  a  compliance  with  his  Master's  posi- 
tive command;  a  command  which,  however  it 
may  be  attempted,  no  sophistry  has  been  able  ta 
invalidate.  And  it  is  a  sorrowful  reflection,  that, 
in  a  christian  country,  a  compliance  with  so  une- 
quivocal an  injunction  of  our  common  Lord,  as 
that  of  "  Swear  not  at  all,"  supported  as  it  is  by 
one  of  his  Apostles,  should  have  ever  subjected 
those  who  acted  in  obedience  to  it,  to  such  suffer- 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


203 


iiigs,  as  would  have  disgraced  the  character  of 
Heathens.  But  though  sufferings  on  this  occa- 
sion, have  now  ceased,  it  is  still  desirable  that  so 
direct  a  violation  of  tliis  divine  hijunction,  should 
be  removed  from  the  legal  code  of  all  nations, 
professing  the  Christian  name;  in  some  of  which, 
at  least,  it  may  be  said  as  formerly,  "  Because  of 
swearing  (both  legal  and  profane)  the  laud 
moumeth." 

The  day  after  George  Fox's  release  from  Scar- 
borough Castle,   the  great  fire  broke  out  in  Lon- 
don.    Some  Friends  had  not  only  foreseen  it,  but 
forewarned  the  people  of  it,  or  some  similar  cala- 
mity.    Ofle  Friend,  in  particular,  George  men- 
tions, who  was  concerned  to  go  through  the  streets 
of  London,  a  short  time  before  the  fire,  scattering 
his  money  up  and  down,  having  the  knees  of  his 
breeches   untied,    his   stockings   down,    and   his 
doublet  unbuttoned ;  at  the  same  time  telling  the 
people,  *'  So  should  they  run  up  and  down,  scat- 
tering their  money  and  goods,  half  undressed  like 
mad  people,  as  he  was  a  sign  to  them ;"  all  which 
was  very  soon  fulfilled.  * 

George  Fox  being  now  at  liberty,  staid  a  few 
days  at  Scarborough  and  its  neighbourhood,  hav- 

•    *  See  Seweirs  History  of  the  Quakers,  for  further  par- 
ticulars relating  to  this  circumstance.    Anno  ICGG. 


2104 


Ll/E  OF  GEOKOE  FOK. 


(LIVZ  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


205 


li 


ing  meetings  among  his  Friends  and  others.  From 
Scarborough  he  went  to  Whitby,  and  then  turned 
To  Burlington  and  into  Holderness.  At  Marma- 
duke  Storr's,  who  probably  lived  at  or  near 
Owstwick,  he  attended  a  maniage  of  two  of 
his  Friends ;  on  which  occasion  there  was  a  very 
large  meeting,  in  which  he  explained  various  mat- 
ters on  the  subject  of  matrimony,  and  on  the  duties 
of  the  married  state.  This  is  the  first  marriage 
which  he  mentions  attending  among  his  own 
Friends. 

Whilst  in  Holderness,  George  visited  a  Priest, 
who,  when  he  was  in  that  country,  in  the  year 
1651,  had  threatened,  If  ever  he  met  with  George 
Fox  again,  he  would  have  his  life,  unless  prevented 
by  George  killing  him.  This  man  was  now  very 
loving  and  kind,  and  his  wife  had  become  a  Friend. 
Various  circumstances  of  this  kind  he  met  with  in 
his  travels ;  many  persons  who  had  been  violent 
against  him,  having  become  much  softened  in  their 
minds,  and  others  even  joined  in  society  with  him. 
Such  are  frequently  tlie  effects  of  faithful  labour 
and  patient  suffering  in  the  cause  of  truth  and 
righteousness ;  verifying  the  truth  of  the  observa- 
tion :  "  When  a  man's  ways  please  the  Lord,  he 
maketh  even  his  enemies  to  be  at  peace  with  him." 


Leaving  Holderness,  he  came  by  Malton,  Hull, 
and  Howden,   to  York.     Here  he  had  a  lar^e 


I 


meeting,  and  visited  Justice  Robinson,  now  an 
ancient  man,  who,  at  Pickering,  had  formerly  shown 
much  kindness  to  him ;  and  on  various  occasions 
had  manifested  a  favourable  disposition  to  Friends^ 
which  his  successors  for  several  generations  have 
continued  to  evince.  From  York,  George  Fox 
passed  through  the  South- West  part  of  the  County, 
till  he  came  to  Synderhill-Green,  on  the  borders 
of  Derbyshire,  where  he  had  formerly  had  some 
large  meetings,  at  which  many  had  been  convinced 
of  the  rectitude  of  the  doctrine  which  he  preached. 
Here  he  again  had  a  large  and  satisfactory  meet* 
ing ;  but  narrowly  escaped  being  arrested,  a  war- 
rant being  issued  at  the  instigation  of  the  Priest 
of  the  place.  '^Tlie  constables,  however,  were  too 
late  for  the  meeting,  and  thus  missed  of  their  ob- 
ject. He  now  passed  into  Derbyshire  and  Not- 
tinghamshire, having  meetings  at  Skegby  and 
Mansfield;  after  which  he  came  to  Nottingham, 
where  he  had  a  large  and  quiet  meeting.  Of  the 
Society  here  he  makes  this  observation :  "  Friends 
were  brought  to  sit  under  their  teacher,  the  grace 
of  God,  which  brought  them  salvation;  and  were 
established  upon  the  rock  and  foundation,  Christ 
Jesus."  Here  he  visited  John  Reckless,  who  was 
now  a  Friend,  but  had  been  Sheriff  of  the  County, 
and  whose  prisoner  he  had  been  in  the  year  1649* 

Hence  George  Fox  passed  towards   London, 
through  Leicestershire,  Warwickshiie,  Northam|H 

3 


206 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX^ 


m 


tonshii  e,  Bedfordshire,  Buckinghamshire,  and  Ox- 
fordshire. In  Leicestershire,  as  usual,  he  visited  his 
relations.  Ue  had  many  large  and  precious  meet- 
ings in  those  counties ;  but  travelling  he  found  very 
difficult  and  painful,  from  tiie  great  stiffness  in  his 
limbs,  and  other  infirmities,  occasioned  by  his  long 
and  severe  imprisonments.  He  could  not  even 
bear  to  be  near  the  fire,  nor  to  eat  warm  meat, 
which  he  imputes  to  having  been  kept  so  long 
from  them.  When  he  came  to  London,  he  visited 
the  ruins  occasioned  by  the  fire ;  on  which  he  ob- 
serves, "  I  saw  the  city  lying,  according  as  the 
word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me  concerning  it,  several 
years  before." 

Notwithstanding  his  great  bodily  weakness,  he 
left  London  and  travelled  as  far  as  Bristol,  hav- 
ing large  meetings  at  various  places,  both  going 
and  returning.  About  this  time,  and  in  the  course 
of  this  journey,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
many,  who  had  been  drawn  aside  by  John  Perrot 
and  others,  convinced  of  tlieir  error,  and  condemn- 
ing their  conduct* 


*  John  Perrot  thought  himself  more  enlightened  than 
George  Fox,  and  objected  to  Friends  uncovering  their 
heads,  wliilst  a  Minister  was  engaged  in  prayer;  in  which 
notion  many  joined  him.  Afterwards  he  let  his  beard  grow, 
in  wBich  some  also  unrted  him;  but,  at  length,  going  to  Ame- 
rica, he  wore  a  sword,  and,  getting  a  place  iu  the  Govem- 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


207 


George  Fox  now  seeing  his  Friends  generally  esta- 
blished in  sound  Christian  doctrine  and  practice ;  be- 
came concerned  for  their  preservation  therein ;  aiul 
that  the  reputation  of  the  new  society,  might  be  pre- 
served from  those  reflections  to  which  it  might  be- 
come subject,  from  those  whose  conduct  should  be 
disorderly,  or  in  other  respects  inconsistent  WiiK 
their  religious  profession.     For  this  purpose,  and 
also  that  the  poor  might  be  properly  provided  for, 
he  recommended  the  establishment  of  Meetings 
for  discipline.     Quarterly  Meetings  of  this  kind 
had,  it  seems,  been  already  held  in  some  places  ;t 
but  these  took  in  too  large  a  district,  and  were  not 
held  sufficiently  frequent  for  the  purposes  designed. 
He  therefore  proposed  the  holding  of  ni^etings 
monthly,  of  which  five  were  now  established  in  the 
city  of  London.     These   meetings   were  soon  ex- 
tended generally  over  the  nation,  still  retaining  the 
quarterly   meetings,    in    which   several    monthly 
meetings  united,  and  exercised   a  religious   care 
over  each  other.     These  quarterly  meetings  after- 
wards united  and  formed  a  yearly  meeting,  which 
is  held  in  London,  and  may  be  consideied  like 
the  legislative  body;  besides  attending  to  other 

ment,  he  became  a  severe  cnacte.r  of  oaths;  and  wholly 
abandoned  principles  for  which  he  had  once  endured  per- 
secution. 

t  In  the  North  of  England,  some  meetings  fo^  discipline 
ffere  settled  as  early  as  the  year  16o2v 


r 


2QS 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  l?OX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


2og 


f"- 


matters  connected  with  the  general  interests  of 
the  society.    As  the  female  sex  can,  in  many  cases^ 
best  attend  to  their  own  concerns,  women's  meet- 
ings were  also  recommended  by  this  wise,  vigilant^ 
and  liberal  promoter  of  the  welfare  of  the  society, 
which  he  had  been  instrumental  in  establishing; 
and  the  adoption  of  them  has  been  found  extremely 
beneficial  to  their  own  sex,  and  very  relieving  to 
their  brethren.     It  is  remarkable  that  the  system* 
of  discipline  recommended  by  George  Fox  in  the 
year   ItiGd,  and  about  that  time  generally  esta- 
blished in  the  society,  both  in  this  and  other  na- 
tions, has  undergone  very  little,  if  any,  a]t«ratiou« 
since  that  time  ;  having  been  found  equal  to  all 
the  circumstances  which  have  occurred,  in   the 
course  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  years.    Such 
was  the  wisdom,  I  believe  more  than  human  wis- 
dom, with  which  it  was  planned,  that  though  many 
attempts  have  been  made  to  subvert  it,  by  weak,  or 
worse  than  weak  members,  it  may  be  now  consi- 
dered as  having   surnwunted  all  opposition,  and 
being  likely  to  continue  as  long  as  tlie  Society  exists, 
for  uhose  benefit  it  wjats  formed. 

After  the  establishment  of  the   ^\e  monthly 

meetings  in  London,  George  Fox  travelled  inta 

Essex,  Suffolk,  Norfolk,  and  many  other  counties, 

till  he  came  into  Wales  and  Lancashire.     In  this 

journey,  his  principal  coacei;n  appears  to  have 


been,  the  establishment  of  meetings  for  discipline, 
hi  which  he  met  with  some  opposition,  in  a  few 
places.  He  also  wrote  to  hi»  Friends  in  some  of 
the  more  northern  counties,  and  Scotland,  recom- 
mending the  practice  he  was  concerned  to  pro- 
mote ;  and  his  advice,  it  appears^  was  generally 
complied  with.  In  this  journey  he  travelled  in 
great  bodily  weakness  and  pain,  being  scarcely 
able  to  mount  or  dismount  his  horse ;  but  "  my 
spirit,"  he  says,  "  being  eaincstly  engaged  in  the 
w  ork  the  Lord  had  concerned  nie  in,  and  sent  me 
forth  about,  I  travelled  on  therein,  notwithstanding 
the  weakness  of  my  body,  having  confidence  in  the 
Lord,  that  he  would  carry  me  through,  as  he  dic^ 
by  his  power."  , 

In  the  course  of  this  journey,  though  a  perse- 
cuting spirit  was  frequently  manifested,  by  Ma- 
gistrates and  others,  yet  he  met  with  no  material 
interruption  in  his  travels.  At  Shrewsbury,  the 
Mayor  hearing  of  his  being  there,  collected  the 
officers  to  consult  what  to  do  against  him,  saying, 
"  the  great  Quaker  of  England  is  come  to  town  ;." 
but  when  they  were  met  together,  they  w«re  so 
divided  among  themselveSj  as  not  to  be  able  to 
effect  their  purpose.  Several  other  deliverances 
he  experienced  in  this  journey.  Returning  by 
Bristol,  where  meetings  for  discipline  were  also 
tstablished,  he  came  again  to  London.     His  prin? 

S3 


^10 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


cipal  concern  here,  at  this  time,  appears  to  hate 
been,  to  make  proper  regulations  respecting  the 
society's  proceedings  in  marriage.  These  regula- 
tions were,  "  that  marriages  should  be  laid  before 
tlie  men*s  monthly  or  quarterly  meetings  ;  that 
Friends  might  see,  that  the  relations  of  those  that 
proceeded  in  marriage,  were  satisfied ;  and  that 
the  parties  were  clear  from  all  others ;  and  that 
•widows  had  made  provision  for  their  first  husband's 
children,  before  they  married  again;  that  so  all 
things  might  be  kept  clean  and  pure,  and  done  ia 
jighteousuess  to  the  glory  of  God." 

Having  now  procured  the  establishment  of  a 
salutary  discipline,  in  many  parts  of  the  Society, 
his  next  concern  appears  to  have  been  the  promo- 
tion of  a  suitable  education  for  the  youth.  Leav- 
insf  London  for  a  short  time,  he  went  into  Hert- 
fordshire,  where,  after  visiting  his  friends,  and 
establishing  several  monthly  meeting^^^  he,  on  his 
return  towards  London,  recommended  the  esta- 
blishment of  a  school  at  Waltham,  for  the  educa- 
tion of  boys;  and  another  at  Shackiewell,  for 
instructing  girls  and  young.- women,  "  in  whatsoever- 
tilings  were  civil  and  useful  in  the  creation." 
These  are  his  own  words,  which  bespeak  nn  en- 
largement of  mind  and  views,  beyond  the  inferior, 
and  most  common  branches  of  education.  This-: 
nvas  in  the  year  1667. 


WFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


211. 


After  a  short  residence  in  London,  he  travelled 
in  l6(i8  toward  Soutli  Wales,  returning  by  the 
counties  of  Cornwall,  Devon,  Somerset,  Dorset,, 
Hants,  Surrey,  Sussex,  and  Kent,  to  London. 
His  principal  concern,  in  this  journey,  appears  to 
have  been  the  establishment  of  monthly  meetings 
for  discipline,  in  those  parts  which  he  had  not 
already  visited  for  that  purpose.  About  this  time 
he  wrote  to  his  Friends  in  Ireland,  Holland,  Bar- 
badoes,  and  several  parts  of  America,  recommend- 
ing the  same  practice,  which  was,  no  doubt,  gene- 
rally adopted;  "  Since  these  meetings  were 
settled,"  he  observes,  "  many  mouths  have  been- 
opened  in  .thanksgiving  and  praise,  and  many  have 
blessed  the  Lord  that  he  sent  me  forth  in  this  ser- 
vice ;  yea  with  tears  have  many  praised  him." 

Whilst  George  Fox  was  in  London>  he  paid  a« 
visit  to  his  kind  friend.  Marsh,  by  whom  he 
was  received  with  much  respect,  and  invited  tO' 
iline  with  him  ;  which  however  he  declined.  Here 
he  had  a  controversy  with  a  Roman  Catholic, 
after  which  he  took  a  private  opportunity  with 
Justice  Marsh,  to  interest  Him  in  favour  of  his 
Friends,  who  suffered  much  froin-  the  oaths  of 
allegiance  and  supremacy  being  often  tendered  to- 
them.  The  Justice  manifested  his  usual  kindness,. 
Ibolh  towards  George  and  the  society  ;  and  seem» 

to.  have  ejterted  himself  as  much  as  was  ia  hia^ 


2l.« 


LIFE  OF  GEOTIGE  FOX- 


power,  to  alleviate  their  sufferings.  About  tins 
time  1  find  an  observation  in  these  words  ;  "  W« 
had  great  service  in  London ;  the  Lord's  truth 
came  over  all. — Many  who  had  gone  out  came 
in  again,  confessing  and  condenuiing  their  outgo- 

IDgS. 

Having  finished  his  present  service  in  the  city, 
he  visited  Friends  again  in  Surrey  and  Sussex  ; 
after  which  he  travelled  northward  by  Warwick, 
Birmingham,  and  Nottingham,  into  Yorksliire. 
At  York  he  attended  the  quarterly  meeting,  in  which 
seven  monthly  meetings  were  already  established, 
and  seven  more  were  now  added.  The  society,  it 
appears,  had  greatly  increased  in  this  county,  par- 
ticularly in  the  northern  and  eastern  parts  of  it ;  but 
since  that  time,  it  has  been  most  numerous  in  the 
south-west  parts.  The  Assizes  being  at  the  time 
of  the  quarterly  meeting,  at  York,  George  Fox 
met  with  and  visited  his  old  friend  Justice  Hotham, 
©f  whose  early  tenderness  and  kindness  to  him,  he 
apyears  to  have  been  very  feelingly  sensible. 

Leaving  York,  he  traveled  towards  Whitby  and 
Scarborough.  At  the  latter  place  he  was  kindly 
invited  by  the  governor,  to  visit  him  and  his  wife ; 
which  he  accordingly  accepted,  and  was  very 
courteously  received.  Passing  over  the  Wolds, 
and  tlirough  Holderness,  he  turned  itUo  the  western 
parts  of  the  county;  till  he  came  to  John  Moo^h 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE    FOX.  2lS 

at  Eldreth,  near  Settle.  Here  he  had  a  large  and 
satisfactory  meeting.  Colonel  Kirby,  an  old  per- 
secutor, who  had  threatened  George  Fax,  and  hadT 
offered  forty  pounds  to  any  man  wfco  would  take 
him,  was  now  confined  near  this  place  with  th* 
gout,  incapable  of  fulfrttiug  bis  threatt* 

An  exercbe  now  came  upon  him  to  visit 
Friends  in  Ireland,  where  it  appears  the  So- 
ciety had  been  for  several  years  established.  Leav- 
ing Yorkshire,  he  passed  through  Staffordshire 
and  Cheshire  to  Liverpool,  where  he,  with  Ro- 
bert Lodge,  James  Lancaster^  Thomas  Brigg^^ 
and  John  Stubbs,  took  shipping  for  Ireland.  Fe- 
ing  at  sea  on  the  first  day,  George  held  a  religious 
meeting  with  the  passengers  and  sailors,  and 
preached  to  them ;  which  occasioned  this  remairk 
from  the  master  of  the  vessel :  "  Come,  here  are 
things  that  youjpever  heard  in  your  lives."  On 
their  landing  in  Ireland,  and  coming  near  to  Dub- 
lin, George  says,  "  The  earth  and  air  smelt, 
methought,  with  the  corruption  of  the  nation;  so 
that  it  yielded  another  smell  to  me  than  England 
did,  which  I  imputed  to  the  Popish  Massacres, 
that  had  been  committed,  and  the  blood  that  had 
been  spilt  in  it,  from  which  a  foulness  ascended." 
Such  were  the  fine  feelings  of  this  tender-hearted 
Christian,  on  various  occasions,  where  places  had 
Ibeen  ma,rked  with  persecution  and  bloodshed. 


i  * 


:;l^ 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


215 


214 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


Oil  their  arrival  in  Dublin,  George  Fox  and 
his  companions  went  to  an  inn,  not  being  able  at 
first  to  find  any  of  their  own  Friends ;  but  these 
soon  found  diem,  and  received  them  with  great 
joy.     They  made  but  a  short  stay  in  that  city,  go- 
hig  to  a  meeting  for  one  of  the  provinces ;  after 
atrending  which,  they  proceeded  towards  Cork. 
At  one  place  where  they  had  a  meeting,   the  Pa- 
pists manifested  much  dissatisfaction;  on  which 
George  sent  them  a  challenge, ''  to  try  their  God 
and  their  Christ,  which  they  made  of  bread  and 
wine.**     This  not  being  accepted,  he  told  them 
that  they  were  worse  than  the  Priests  of  Baal, 
who  were  willing  to  try  their  wooden  God;  but 
they  were  not  willing  to  try  theirs  of  bread  and  wine. 
He  also  told  them,  that  Baal's  priests  did  not  eat 
their  God,  as  they  did,  and  then  make  another. 
These  were  simple  and  cogent  ^truths;  but  it  is 
to  be  feared  made  little  or  no  impression  on  their 
benighted  minds. 

The  Mayor  of  Cork  appears  to  have  been  of  a 
persecuting  spirit.  He  issued  four  warrants  against 
George  Fox,  and  sent  descriptions  of  him  to 
places  at  a  great  distance,  in  order  to  have  him 
imprisoned.  Notwithstanding  this,  Geoige  rode 
into  that  city,  and  passed  the  Mayor's  door,  who  saw 
and  knew  him,  without  being  apprehended. 
Some  other  Magistrates  also  manifested  the  same 


disposition  as  the  Mayor  of  Cork  ;  "  yet,"  says  he, 
*'  the  Lord  disappointed  all  their  counsels,  defeated 
all  their  designs  agaiust  me  ;  and  by  his  good  hand 
of  Providence,  preserved  me  out  of  all  their  snares, 
and  gave  us  many  sweet  and  blessed  opportunities 
to  visit  Friends,  and  spread  truth  through  that  na- 
tion. Friends  were  greatly  refreshed  and  com- 
forted, in  feeling  the  love  of  God.  Oh  the  bro- 
kenness  that  was  amongst  them  in  the  flowmgs  of 
life !  so  that  in  the  power  and  spirit  of  the  Lord, 
many  together  broke  out  into  fiingmg  with  audible 
voices,  making  melody  in  their  hearts." 

After  travelling  over  great  part  of  Ireland,  and 
being  engaged  in  various  controversies,  as  well  as 
visiting  the  meetings  of  Friends,  he  returned  to 
Dublin ;  where  he  attended  their  meeting  o  nthe 
first  day  of  the  week,  which,  he  observes,  was  very 
large  and  precious.  Here  he  took  shippmg  for 
Liverpool,  after  parting  widi  his  Friends  with 
much  tender  affection.  His  visit  to  that  nation 
appears  to  have  produced  a  very  favourable 
opinion  of  Friends  there,  whom  he  describes  as 
«  a  good,  weighty  and  true  people,  sensible  of  the 
power  of  God,  tender  of  his  trutli,  aud  having  good 
order  in  their  meetings." 


f 


^IFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


217 


CHAP.  XVI. 

1669 fo  iGri.'-Refurnsfrom  Ireland. -^Travels  through 
Lancashire,  Cheshire,  8fC.  to  Nailsworth,  m  Gloucesttr- 
shire.  Singular  circumstance  occurs  therc^Goes  to 
Bristol.  Is  married  to  Margaret  Fell.— Passes  through 
Wilts  Berks,  Oxon,  and  Bucks,  to  London,  Endea* 
vours  to  obtain  his  uifes  release  from  premunire.  Suf- 
ferings in  consequence  of  the  Conventicle  Act. — Travels 
into  various  Counties. -^Suffers  much  in  body  and  mind, 
on  account  ofprofaneness  and  persecution. -^His prayer 
'On  that  account. 

All  the  Friends  who  accompanied  George 
Fox  to  Ireland,  except  John  Stubbs,  returned  with 
him,  having  probably  been  his  coaipanions  whilst 
in  that  country.     After   a  stormy  passage,  they 
landed  at  Liverpool,  and  proceeded  through  Lan- 
cashire, Cheshire,  &c.  into  Gloucestershire.     At 
^^  ails  worth  in  this  county,  he  heard  of  a  report 
that  he  was  turned  Presbyterian  ;  and  that  a  pulpit 
wss  prepared  for  him  in  a  yard  m  that  place,  where 
it  was  supposed  a  thousand  people  would  attend 
the  next  day  to  hear  him.    This  report  arose  from 
a  person  of  the  name  of  John  Fox  having  ap- 
pointed  a  meeting  .there,  whose  name  was,  it 
appears  by  design,  changed  to  George  Fox.     A 
very  large  meeting  was  collected :  but  the  people 
finding  that  they  were  imposed  upon,  many  hun- 


<!reds  left  the  meeting,  and  came  to  one  then  col- 
kcted  by  the  real  George  Fox,  very  near  the  other. 
The  people  v^^re  sober  and  attentive,  and  some  of 
them  said,  they  lited  George  Fox  the  Quaker^s 
preaching,  better  than  George  Fox  the  Presby- 
terian's. "  Thus,"  he  observes,  "  by  my  providen-- 
tial  coming  into  these  parts,  at  that  time,  this  false 
report  was  discovered,  and  shame  came  over  the 
contrivers  of  it.** 

From  Nailsworth  he  went   to  Bristol,  where 
he  met  with  his  friend  Margaret  Fell,  who  was 
there  on  a  visit  to  one  of  her  daughters.     George 
had  for  some  time  past,  entertained  a  prospect  of 
marriage  with  Margaret ;  and  had  already  commu- 
nicated his  'views  to  her,  with  which  she  appears 
to  have  united.     «  But  now,"  to  give  the  narra- 
tive in  his  own  words,  "  after  I  was  come  back 
from  Ireland,  and  come  to    Bristol,  and  found 
Margaret  Fell  there,  it  opened  in  me  from  the 
Lord,  that  the  thing  should  now  be  accomplished  ; 
and,  after  we  had  discoursed  the  thing  together,  I 
told  her,  if  she  also  was  satisfied  with  the  accom- 
plishing of  it  now,  she  should  send  for  her  chil- 
dren, which  she  did.     And  when  the  rest  of  her 
daughters  were  come,  I  asked  both  them  and  her 
sons°in  law,  if  they  had  any  thing  against  it,  or  for 
it,  de^ring  them  to  speak  ;    and  they  all  seve- 
rally expressed  their  satisfaction  therein.    Then  I 


"t 


I 


^18 


LIFE  or  GEORGE  VOX, 


asked  Margaret,  if  she  had  fulfilled  and  performed 
her  husband's  will  to  her  children.      She  replied, 
the   children    knew   that.      Whereupon   I   asked 
thera,  if  their  mother  married,    they   should  not 
lose  by  it ;  and  1  asked  Margaret,  whether  she 
had    done    any  thing  in  lieu  of  it,  which  might 
answer  it  to  tlie  children.     The  children  said,  she 
had  answered  it  to  them,  and  desired  me  to  speak 
no  more  of  that.     I  told  them,  "  I  was  plain,  and 
would  have  all  things  done   plainly ;  for  I  sought 
not  any  outward  advantage  to  myself."     So  after 
1  had  acquainted  the  children  with  it,  our  intention 
of  marriage  was  laid  before  Friends,  privately  and 
publicly,  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  Friends  ;  many 
of  whom  gave  testimony  thereunto,  that  it  was  of 
God.     Afterwards,  a  Meeting  being  appointed  on 
purpose,  fur  the  accomplishing   thereof,   in   the 
public  Meeting-house  at  Broadmead,  in  Brbtol,  we 
took  each  other  in  marriage,  tiie  Lord  joining  us  to- 
gether in  the  honourable  marriage,  in  the  everlastr 
\n»  covenant  and  immortal  seed  of  life :  in  the  sense 
-nhereof,  living  and  weighty  testimonies  were  borne 
thereunto,  by  Friends,  in  the  movings  of  the  hea- 
venly power,  which  united  us  together.    Tlien  was 
a  certificate,  relating  both  to  the  proceedings  and 
marriage,  openly  read  and  signed  by  the  relations, 
and  by  most  of  the  antient  Friends  in  that  city, 
besides  many  other  Friends  from  divers  parts  of 
tlie  nation.'' 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


€19 


They  continued  about  a  week  in  Bristol  after 
their  marriage,  and  then  went  together  to  Old- 
stone,  where  they  parted,  "  betaking  ourselves,'' 
he  says,  *'  each  to  our  several  service ;  Margaret 
returning  homewards,  and  I  passing  on  into  the 
counties,  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.*'     Travelling 
through  Wilts,  Berks,  Oxon,  and  Bucks,  he  came 
to  Lo°ndon  ;  having  "  had  many  large  and  precious 
meetings."    Whilst  in  London,  he  wrote  an  epistle 
to  the  Several  quarterly  meetings,  recominendiug 
them  to  put  out  poor  children  to  useful  occupa- 
tions and  trades  among  Friends  ;  and  to  establish 
funds  for  that  purpose;  "  by  which,"  he  says,  -  ye 
may  come  to  help  the  children  of  poor  Friends ; 
that  they  may  rear  up  tiieir  families,  and  preserve 
them  in  the  fear  of  God." 

After  a  short  stay  in  London,  he  travelled,  in 
1670,  into  Essex,  Hertfordshire,  and  other  coun- 
ties, to  Leicestershire,  where  he  had  requested  his 
wife  to  meet  him ;  but  instead  of  meeting  her  he 
received  an  account  that  she  was  committed  t^ 
prison  at  Lancaster,  upon  an  old  premunire,  from 
which  she  had  been  liberated  about  a  year  before. 
On  hearing  this,   George   returned   to   London, 
taking   several  meetings  in   his  way.     When   he 
reached   London,  he   advised  Mary  Lower   and 
Sarah  Fell,  two  of  his  wife's  daughters,  to  apply 
immediately  to  the  King,  and  inform  him  how  their 


'4 


^IS 


LIFE  or  GEORGE  FOX. 


m 


asked  Margaret,  if  she  had  fulfilled  and  performed 
her  husband's  will  to  her  children.      She  replied, 
the    children    knew    that.      Whereupon   I    asked 
them,  if  their  mother  married,   they   should  not 
lose  by  it ;  and  1  asked  Margaret,  whether  she 
had    doue    any  thing  in  lieu  of  it,  which  might 
answer  it  to  tlie  children.     The  children  said,  she 
had  answered  it  to  them,  and  desired  me  to  speak 
no  more  of  that.     I  told  them,  "  I  was  plain,  and 
would  have  all  things  done   plainly ;  for  I  sought 
not  any  outward  advantage  to  myself/*     So  after 
1  had  acquainted  tlie  children  with  it,  our  intention 
of  marriage  was  laid  before  Friends^  privately  and 
publicly,  to  the  lull  satisfaction  of  Friends  ;  many 
of  whom  gave  testimony  thereunto,  that,  it  was  of 
God.     Afterwards,  a  Meeting  being  appointed  on 
purpose,  for  the  accomplishing   thereof,   in   the 
public  Meeting-house  at  Broadmead,  in  Brbtol,  we 
took  each  other  in  marriage,  the  Lord  joining  us  to- 
gether in  the  honourable  marriage,  in  the  everlastr 
ing  covenant  and  immortal  seed  of  life  :  in  the  sense 
whereof,  living  and  weighty  testimonies  were  borne 
thereunto,  by  Friends,  in  the  movings  of  the  hea- 
venly power,  which  united  us  together.    Tlien  was 
a  certificate,  relating  both  to  the  proceedings  and 
marriage,  openly  read  and  signed  by  the  relations, 
and  by  most  of  the  antient  Friends  in  that  city, 
besides  many  other  Friends  from  divers  parts  of 
tlie  nation." 


LIFE    OF   GEOEGE    FOX. 


219 


They  continued  about  a  week  in  Bristol  after 
tlieir  marriage,  and  then  went  together  to  Old- 
stone,  where  they  parted,   "  betaking  ourselves," 
he  says,  "  each  to  our  several  service ;  Margaret 
returning  homewards,  and  I  passing  on  into  the 
counties,  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.'*     Travelling 
through  Wilts,  Berks,  Oxon,  and  Bucks,  he  came 
to  Lo°ndon  ;  having  "  had  many  large  and  precious 
meetings."    Whilst  in  London,  he  wrote  an  epistle 
to  the  Several  quarterly  meetings,  recommending 
them  to  put  out  poor  children  to  useful  occupa- 
tions and  trades  among  Friends ;  and  to  establish 
funds  for  that  purpose ;  ''  by  which,*'  he  says,  "  ye 
may  come  to  help  the  children  of  poor  Friends ; 
that  they  may  rear  up  tiieir  families,  and  preserve 
them  in  the  fear  of  God.** 

After  a  short  stay  in  London,  he  travelled,  in 
1670,  into  Essex,  Hertfordshire,  and  other  coun- 
ties, to  Leicestershire,  where  he  had  requested  his 
wife  to  meet  him ;  but  instead  of  meeting  her  he 
received  an  account  that  she  was  committed  t^ 
prison  at  Lancaster,  upon  an  old  premunire,  from 
M'hich  she  bad  been  liberated  about  a  year  before. 
On  hearing  this,   George   returned   to   London, 
taking   several  meetings  in   his  way.     When   he 
reached   London,  he   advised  Mary  Lower   and 
Sarah  Fell,  two  of  his  wife*s  daughters,  to  apply 
immediately  to  the  King,  and  inform  him  how  their 

T  Z 


)■ 
■I 

V 


.-  'i  ■  - 


2£0 


LIFE  OF  eEORGE  FOX^ 


LIFE  OF  GEOUGfi  FOX* 


^di 


mother  was  circumstanced ;  also  to  obtain  a  fql! 
discharge  both  of  her  person  and  estate  from  the 
effects  of  the  premiiuire.  Tlie  business  was  at- 
tended with  considerable  difficulty;  but  by  close 
application  was  at  length  effected.  Sarah  Fell 
went  into  Lancashire  with  a  letter,  written  by  or- 
der of  the  King,  for  her  mother's  liberation ;  bj 
her  George  wrote  to  his  wife,  whom  he  thus  af- 
fectionately addresses :  "  My  dear  heart  in  the 


f> 


truth  and  life  that  changeth  uotJ 


In  the  year  1670  an  additional  exercise  fell  upoa 
George  Fox  and  his  Friends,  by  the  passing  of  the 
Conventicle  Act ;  a  law  which  was  occasioned  by 
some  tumultuous  meetings  that  had  occurred  in 
the  country.     It  forbade  more  thaii  four  persons 
to  meet  together,  except,  I  suppose,  in  the  congre- 
gations of  the  Church  of  England.     On  this  fresh 
trial,  George  first  addressed  a  letter  to  Magis- 
trates,  to  show  them  the  unreasonableness  of  this 
law,  and  to  soften  their  minds  in  the  execution  of 
it;   after   which   he  addressed  an  epistle  to  his 
Friends,  to  encourage  them  to  faithfulness,  and  to 
bear  with  Christian  patience  and  content,  the  suf- 
fering that  was  coming  upon  them.     To  this  he 
also  encouraged  them  by  his  example;  for  the 
next  First  Day  he  went  to  the  Meeting  at  Grace- 
church   street ;    where   he   expected    the    attack 
would  begia.    Thus^  like  a  good  General,  placing 


fiimself  in  the  front  of  the  battle,  animating  \us 
followers  by  his  example  and  his  precepts ;  being 
resolved  to  face  all  the  dangers  of  his  situation. 
When  he  canoe  near  the  meeting-house,  he  found 
all  the  avenues  to  it  guarded  with  soldiers.     He 
however  got  into  the  court,  where  a  Friend  wa» 
preaching.     After  he   had  finished,  George    ad- 
dressed the  people,  beginning  with  these  words, 
'*  Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me  ?**    After 
he  had  spoken  a  short  time,  he  was  seized  by  a 
constable,  accompanied  with  an  informer  and  sol- 
diers, to  whom  he  shortly  said,  "  Blessed  are  the 
peacemakers."     He  was  now  put  among  the  sol-' 
diers,   the   officer   saying,  "You  are  the  man  I 
looked  for."    Some  other  Friends  were  also  takeri 
with  him,  and  as  they  were  going  to  the  Mayor's- 
house,  the  informer  said  to  them>  "  It  would  never 
be  a  good  world,  till  all  people  canae  to  the  good 
old   religion   that   was  two  hundred  years  ago.'* 
Upon  this  George  charged  him  with  being  a  Pa- 
pist, which  soon  spread  among  the  people ;  so- 
that  after  they  came  to  the  court  of  the  Major'* 
house,  who  was  not  then   at  home,  the  poor  mai> 
was  so  intimidated,  that  he  was  desirous  of  making 
his  escape ;  but  when  he  came  into  the  street,  the 
people  cried  out,  "  A  Papist  informer,  a  Papist 
informer."     Tlie  man  was  so  roughly  treated,  that 
'  George  and  his  Friends,  those  against  whom  he 
bad  informed,  desired  the  constable   and  soldiei* 


22a 


XIFE  OF  GEORGE  FO*; 


XIFE  OP  GEORGE  VOX, 


S€3 


to  rescue  him  out  of  the  people's  hands,  whicR 
they  did,  and  brought  him  back  to  the  Mayor's : 
but  when  he  at  last  went  away,  the  soldiers  had 
again  to  interfere ;  and  such  was  the  disgust  ex- 
eited  against  the  man,  that  the  soldiers  took  him 
to  a  barber's  shop,  where  he  disguised  himself  by 
changing  his  wig,  and  thus  he  was  enabled  to 
make  his  escape.. 

After  waiting  some  time,  the  Mayor  came,  and 
first  examined  some  Presbyterian  and  Baptist 
teachers,  whom  he  treated  rather  sharply,  and  con- 
victed them.  To  George  Fox  and  his  Friends  he, 
however,  behaved,  with  much  mildness,  recom- 
mending them,  as  Christ's  promise  applied  to  two 
or  three  who  were  met  in  his  name,  and  the  King's 
indulgence  extended  to  four,  to  meet  m.  such  small 
numbers  as  would  not  infringe  the  law.  This  was 
very  plausibley  but  George  soon  showed. the  fallacy 
of  his  reasoning,  replying  that  "Christ's  promise  was . 
not  to  discourage  many  from,  meeting  in  his  name,, 
but  to  encourage  the  few^"  wishing  him. "  to  con- 
sider whether  this  Act  would  not  have  taken  hold 
of  Christ,  with  his  twelve  apostles  and  seventy, 
disciples  :"  with  more  to  the  same  purpose.  After 
some  discourse  on  the  hardship  of  the  Conventicle-, 
Act,  the  Mayor  took  down  the  names  of  the-. 
Friends,  and  dismissed  them.  Being  set  at  liberty,, 
&eor^e  immediately  returned  to  his  post  at  Giace-. 


church  street,  from  which  he  had  been  taken. 
Finding  tlie  people  generally  dispersed,  he  went 
into  a  Friend's  house,  and  sent  to  inquire  how  his 
Friends  had  fared  at  the  other  meetmg-houses  in 
the  city.  He  found  that  there  had  been  a  general 
attempt  to  put  the  new  law  in  execution.  Some 
Friends  were  taken,  and  liberated  in  a  few  days ; 
but  such  was  the  zeal  which  animated  the  minds 
of  Friends,,  that  as  soon  as  some  who  were  preach- 
ing were  taken  down,  others  stood  up  to  speak  ;. 
to  the  ;admiratio»  of  the  people.  This  admiration 
was  increased,  by  the  different  conduct  of  many 
other  dissenters  ;  so  that,  on  the  whole,  this  trying; 
time  proved  a  means  of  spreading  the  great  and 
good  cause,  which  George  Fox  and  his  Friends  la- 
boured  to  promote.- 

The  heat  of  persecution  abating  in  the  city,  he 
felt  his  mind  easy  to  leave  it,  and  to  visit  his 
friends  in  the  country.  He  attended  several  nieet- 
iu'^s  in  Middlesex,  Bucks,  a*id  Oxon,  which  were 
not  disturbed  by  Magistrates  or  others.  At  Read- 
kig,  in  Berks,  he  found  Friends  generally  in  prison,, 
whom  he  visited  there,  and  had  a  religious  meet- 
incr  with  them,  which  was  attended  by  several 
other  persons^  This  opportunity  was  encouraging 
and  rtfieshing,  to  the  prisoners,,  whom  he  recom- 
■lended,  with  a  small  present,  ta>  the  kuidiiess  oi 
tiifij^lei:.. 


'  'I 

i 


224 


tiFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX, 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


t25 


I 


Travelling  awhile  longer  in   Surrey,  Sussex, 
Kent,  and  Essex,  his  mind  was  brought  under 
great  exercise,  on  account  of  the  profaneuess  and 
persecution  which  prevailed  in  the  nation.     This 
appears  to  have  produced  a  long  and  heavy  indis* 
position  of  body;  so  that,  for  a  time,  both  his  sight 
and  hearing  in  a  great  measure  failed  him.     Dur- 
\n^  his  illness,  he  was  removed  from  one  Friend V 
house  to  another,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London. 
This  was  in  the  winter  of  1670  and  1671,  in  which 
time,  after  some  improvement  in  his  health,  he 
wrote  two  short  epistles  to  his  Friends  ;  and  one 
to  the  rulers  of  the  nation,  whom  he  faithfully 
warned,  as  he  had  before  done,  of  the  evil  of  per- 
secution, and  the  sore  jutlgments  which  would  be 
its  consequence.     Being   also   greatly   oppressed 
with  the  licentiousness  which   was   then  openly 
manifested  in  the  nation,  he  was  engaged  to  put 
up  a    prayer  to  God,  in   the    following   words^. 
which  he  committed  to  writing  on  the  1 7th  day  of 
the  2d  month,  1671. 

**  O  Lord  Grod  Almighty !  Prosper  tnith,  and 
preserve  jtt»tice  and  equity  in  the  land !  Bring, 
down  all  injustice,  iniquity,  oppression,  falsehood,. 
cruelty,  and  unm€rcifulness  in  the  land ;  that 
mercy  and  righteousness  nvay  flourish. 

"  O  Lord  Godf  Set  op  and  establish  verity^ 
md  preserve  it  ia  the  kud  I    Bring  down  in  tb« 


land  all  debauchery,  vice,  whoredoms,  fornication, 
and  this  raping  spirit,  which  causeth  people  to 
have  no  esteem  of  thee,  O  God  1  nor  of  their  own 
gouls  or  bodies  ;  nor  of  Christianity,  modesty,  or 
humanity. 

«  O  Lord!  Put  it  in  the  Magistrates'  hearts  to 
bring  down  all  this  ungodliness,  violence,  cruelty, 
prophaneness,  cursing  and  swearing ;  and  to  put 
down  all  these  lewd  houses  and  playhouses,  which 
corrupt  youth  and  people ;  and  lead  them  from 
thy  kingdom,  where  no  unclean  thing  can  enter, 
neither  shall  come.  Such  works  lead  people  to 
hell.  Lord  !  In  mercy  bring  down  all  these  things 
in  the  nation,  to  stop  thy  wrath,  O  God !  froui 

coining  oil' the  laud. 

«  G.  F." 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


227 


CHAP.  XVII. 

1671  to  1673. — Obtains  a  more  complete  liberation  fer 
his  mfc.^-Sails  for  America. — Lands  in  Barbadoes.'— 
Continues  there  three  months. »"  Goes  toJamaiea. — After 
spending  seven  ttxcks  there,  sails  for  Maryland.-^Thence 
travels  through  New  Jersey,  Src.  to  Long  Island,  Rhe<k 
Island,  and  New  England.-^Returns  by  East  Jersey^ 
SfC,  to  Maryland. — Goes  to  Virginia  and  Carolina.'^ 
Returns  again  to  Maryland. — Sails  for  England.-^ 
Lands  in  Kings  Roady  near  Bristol. -^Writes  to  hii 
Wife. 

Notwithstanding  the  liberation  of 

Margaret  Fox,  as  before  related,  by  order  of  the 
King ;  yet  her  persecutors  found  means,  by  the 
fiew  Conventicle  Act,  either  to  retain  her  in  con* 
finement,  or  soon  to  recommit  her  to  prison  ;  but, 
when  the  violence  of  the  persecution  was  a  little 
abated,  her  husband  employed  a  woman  Friend,. 
Martha  Fisher,  and  another  of  her  sex,  to  apply 
again  to  the  King  for  her  release ;  who  granted 
a  discharge  under  the  broad  seal,  by  which  both 
her  person  and  estate  were  now  effectually  cleared 
from  the  premunire,  under  which  she  had  suffered 
for  ten  years.     On  her  release,  George  requested 
her  attendance  in  London,  as  he  proposed  soon  ta 
sail  for  America,  and  was  desirous  of  her  com- 
pany, previously  to  his  undertaking  so  long  and  try- 


,1 

I 


ing  a  journey.     This  request  she  readily  complied 
with,  and  they  spent  several  weeks  together,  at  the 
house  of  John  Rpuse,  of  Kingston,  who  had  mar- 
ried  one    of   Margaret   Fox's   daughters.      The 
yearly  meeting    in  London,    was  now  at   hand, 
which  was  "  a  very  large  and  precious  meeting.** 
After  it  was  over,  and  George  had  finished  some 
other  services   in   this   nation,   he   embarked  at 
Gravesend,  on  the  12th  of  6th  mouth,  1671,  in  a 
yatch  called  the  Industry,  for  Barbadoes.    Twelve 
of  his  Friends,  two  of  whom  were  women,  were 
his  companions  in  the  voyage  ;  and  most  or  all  of 
them  were  under  a  like  religious  engagement  with 
himself.      Their  names   were,    Thomas    Briggs, 
William  Edmundson,  John  Rouse,  John  Stubbs, 
Solomon  Eccles,  James  Lancaster,   John  Cart- 
wright,  Robert  Widders,   George  Pattison,  John 
Hull,  Elizabeth  Hooton,  and  Elizabeth  Miers.— 
His  wife  accompanied  him  to  the   Downs,  and 
they  parted  at  D  eal ;  where  some  of  the  passen- 
gers went  on  shore.     When  tliey  had  been  about 
three  weeks  at  sea^  they  were  pursued  by  a  Saliee 
man  of  war,  a  kind  of  piratical  vessel  of  the  Al- 
geriue  States.     Without  any  avowed  hostility  to  a 
particular  nation,  these  pirates  took  and  plundered 
all  vessels  they  could  meet  with. 

AVhen  it  grew  dark,  they  altered  their  course  to 
miss  tlie  enemy ;  but  the  piratical  vessel  changed  her 


m 


228 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


llFTE    ©F    CEORGE    FOX. 


229 


« 


course  also,  and  gained  upon  them.   At  night  the 
master  and  others  went  into  George's  cabin,  and 
asked  him  what  they  should  do ;  adding  « if  the 
mariners  had  taken   Paul's  counsel,  they  had  not 
come  to  the  damage  they  did."     In  the  conversa- 
tion that  passed,  George  Fox  told  them  he  was  no 
mariner,  and  that  "It  was  a  trial  of  faith,  there- 
fore tlie  Lord  was   to  be  waited  on  for  counsel.** 
*<  So  retiring,"  he  says,  "  in  spirit,  the  Lord  show- 
ed me,  *  ITiat  his  life  and  power  was  placed  be- 
tween'us  and  the  ship  that  pursued  us.'     I  told 
this  to  the  master  and  the  rest,  and  that  the  best 
way  was  to  tack  about  and  steer  our  right  course, 
putting  out  the  candles."     However,  before  mid- 
night, the  watch  called  and  said,  "They  are  just 
up^'on   us ;"     yet  George's  faith  was  strong  that 
they  should  be  delivered  ;  and  he  kept  quietly  in 
his  cabin.     The  master  and  some  of  the  seamen 
came  again  and  asked  him  if  they  might  not  steer 
such  a   point ;  to  which  he  consented.     By  this 
time  the  moon  was  quite  gone  down,  a  fresh  gab 
arose,  and  they  sailed  on  briskly,  and  saw  the  pi- 
rate no  more. 

The  next  day,  being  the  first  of  the  week,  when 
they  usually  had  a  religious  meeting  in  the  ship, 
George  exhorted  the  people  "  to  mind  the  mer- 
<Hes  of  God,  who  had  delivered  them  ;  for  ihey 
mi«ht  have  been  all  in  the  Turks'  hands  by  that 


time,  had  not  the  Lord's  band  saved  tliem."  After 
A  voyage  of  above  seven  w^eks,  tliey  lauded  at  Bar- 
jbadoes,  where  a  Sal  lee  merchant  told  the  people 
that  "one  of  the  Sallee  men  of  war  saw  a  mon- 
strous yatch  at  sea,  had  her  in  chace,  and  was  just 
upon  her ;  but  there  was  a  spirit  in  her  that  he 
could  not  take." 

During  the  voyage,  though  George  was  not 
affected  with  sea  sickness,  his  health  declined  very 
much ;  for  the  consequences  of  his  long  and  great 
sufferings  when  in  prison,  seemed  now  to  be  par- 
ticularlv  felt  in  this  warm  climate :  and  he  ex- 
perienced  great  pains,  with  other  very  unfavourable 
symptoms.  After  this  trying  voyage,  when  he 
landed  at  Barbadoes,  he  was  taken  to  th« 
house  of  a  Friend,  Richard  Forstall ;  where,  and 
at  Thomas  Rouse's,  he  continued  several  weeks. 
During  this  time,  his  mind  in  general  was  pretty 
cheerful,  though  he  became  much  exercised  on 
account  of  the  unrighteousness  of  the  people, 
which  lay  as  a  great  weight  upon  him.  After 
above  a  month's  confinement,  his  spirit  became 
easier,  and  his  bodily  health  recovered  in  some 
ilegree  ;  but  not  being  able  to  travel.  Friends  held 
their  mens  and  womens  meetings  for  the  exercise 
of  Christian  discipline,  at  his  lodgings.  Here  he 
found  many  disorders  had  crept  in  ;  and  he  gave 
Aiiich  excellent  advice,  particularly  on  the  subject 
t)f  marriage ;  discouraging   this  connexion   with 


250 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX.  ' 


n£ar  kindred,  the  entering  into  that  state  too  early 
iu  life ;  and  also  without  waiting  a  proper  time 
after  the  decease  of  a  former  wife  or  husband. 
He  also  advised  them  to  be  tender  of  one  another's 
characters,  discouraging  all  defamation  and  slan- 
der.    Tlie  keeping  of  registers  of  their  marriages, 
births,    and   burials  ;    the   providing   of  suitable 
burying  grounds,   the  making  of  their,  wills,  and 
the  proper  disposal  of  legacies  left  for  the  service 
of  the  society,  were  all  subjects  of  his  care  and 
advice ;  also  the  registering  the  condemnations  of 
those  whose  conduct  had  been   disorderly ;  and 
who,   through   true  repentance,  were  willing  to 
make  public  acknowledgment  of  their  outgoings. 
The  negroes  likewise,  as  might  be  expected,  formed 
a  particular  part  of  his  care.     His  first  concern 
for  them  was,  that  they  sliould  partake  of  religious 
instruction,  and  be  trained  up  in  the  fear  of  God ; 
in   the  next  place,  that  they  should  be   treated 
mildly  and  gently,  and  no  cruelty  exercised  tOi- 
wards  them  ;  and  lastly,  that  after  several  years  of 
servitude,  they  should  be  liberated  from  a  state  of 
slavery.      Had  these   wise  Christian  instructions 
been  generally  practised  in  our  West  India  islands, 
much  happiness  would  have  been  substituted  for 
much  misery ;  and  many  both  private  and  public 
evils  have  been  prevented. 

When  he  became  able  to  go  a  little  abroad,  he 
tisited  the  Governor  of  the  Island,  by  whom  \m 


LIFE  OF  GEOflGE  TOX, 


^Sl 


was  kindly  received  and  treated.  After  this,  he 
went  to  Bridge  Town,  where  he  and  other  Friends 
had  a  large  meeting.  The  civil  reception  which 
he  met  with  from  the  Governor  being  generally 
known,  many  of  the  higher  ranks  of  the  people 
attended  the  meeting,  in  which  three  other  Friends 
having  spoken  i«  public  testinrony,  George  was 
rather  straitened  for  time ;  yet  he  was  enabled,  after- 
wards, to  relieve  his  mind  to  the  general  and  great 
satisfaction  of  those  present.  Many  other  large 
and  comfortable  meetings  he  had  in  this  Island,  in 
which  he  was  the  means  of  removing  some  mis- 
representations, that  had  been  industriously  circu- 
lated against  him  and  his  Friends-  At  one  of 
these  meetings,  a  Colonel  Lyne  said,  "  Now  I  can 
gainsay  such  as  I  have  heard  speak  evil  of  you, 
w  ho  say  you  do  not  own  Christ,  nor  that  he  died ; 
whereas  I  perceive  that  you  exalt  Christ  in  all  his 
offices,  beyond  what  I  have  ever  heard  before." 
It  appears  tliat  the  enenjies  of  the  society,  not 
being  able  to  raise  persecution  by  the  civil  or  mi- 
litary governors,  endeavoured  to  defame  Friends 
and  their  principles ;  but  this  zealous  and  active 
defender  of  the  truth,  met  his  enemies  in  all  their 
attempts  to  injure  it;  and  here,  not  only  in  his 
sound  gospel  preaching,  showed  the  falsehood  of 
their  reports  ;  but,  in  conjunction  with  some  other 
Friends,  he  published  a  paper,  fully  declaring  the 
faith  of  the  society  in  God  and  in  Christ ;  atso 


^' 


^n 


XITE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


their  belief  in  the  divine  inspiration  of  ih^  Holy 
Scriptures.  Another  slander  was  raised^  that 
Friends  taught  the  negroes  to  rebel  f  which  is  also 
noticed  and  contradicted  in  this  paper.  This 
seems  to  have  arisen  from  tlieir  having  had  several 
religious  meetings  with  them,  in  which  the  negroes 
were  exhorted  to  the  practice  of  justice;  lobriety^ 
temperance,  chastity,  and  piety ;  and  to  be  subject 
to  their  masters  and  governors ;  all  of  which  was 
directly  contrary  to  the  suggestions  of  the  adver* 
saries  of  the  society. 

After  continuing  full  threamonths  in  this  Island, 
**  having  visited  Fnends  thoroughly,  settled  meet- 
ings, and  dispatched  the  service  for  which  the  Lord 
brought"  him  there,  and  being  clear  of  Barbadoes, 
he  informed  the  Governor  and  others  of  his  inten- 
tion to  leave  them,  and  go  to  Jamaica ;  for  whicb 
island  he  sailed,  on  the  Bth  of  11th  month,  1671^ 
in  company  with  several  otlier  Friends.  After  a. 
short  and  pleasant  voyage,  they  landed  in  Jamaica, 
where  they  found  several  of  their  companions  from 
England,  engaged  in  gospel  labour,  with  whom 
they  united.  Though  the  minds  of  many  of  the 
people  were  much  corrupted,  yet  no  opposition, 
either  by  the  Magistrates  or  the  people,  appears 
to  have  been  offered.  Many  were  convinced  of 
the  rectitude  of  those  doctrines  which  were  preach- 
ed to  them ;  amongst  whom  were  several  persons 


LitE    OF   6E011GE    FOX. 


^s 


of  ertiirtenCe  in  the  island.  George  Fox  visited 
the  Governor  twice,  by  whom  and  several  of  the 
Magistrates,  he  was  kindly  receivedr 

After  continuing  about  seven  weeks^m  Jamaici^ 
he  and  his  companions  sailed  for  Maryland;  but 
in  their  voyage  there,  they  had  very  stormy  wea- 
ther,  and  were  in  great  danger  of  being  ship-^ 
wrecked ;  particularly  in  passing  through  the  Gulf 
of  Florida.     George's  reflections  and  remarks  orf 
this  occasion,  "ar^  disthiguished  by  tliat  piety  which 
formed   a    prominent   feature   in  his    character : 
**  Tlie  great  God,"  he  observes,  "  who  is  Lord  of 
sea  and  land ;  and  who  rideth  upon  tlie  wings  of 
the  wind,  did,  by  his  power^  preserve  us  through? 
many  and  great  dangers,  when,  by  extreme  stress- 
of  weather,  our  vessel  was  divers  times  like  to  be 
overset,  and  much  of  her  tackling  broken*     In-^ 
deed,  we  were  sensible  that  the  Lord  was  a  God 
at  hand,  and  tlkat  his  ear  was  open  to  the  suppli- 
cations of  his   people:   for  when  the  winds  were 
so  strong  and  boisterous,  and  the  storms  and  tem- 
pests so  great,  tliit  the  sailors^  knew  not  what  to 
do,  but  let  the  sliip  go  which  way  she  would,  then 
did  we  pray  unto  the  Lord,  who  did  graciously 
hear  and  accept  us;  and  did  calm  tlie  winds  and 
seas,  gave  us  seasonable  weather,  and  made  us  to 
rejoice  in  his  salvation*     Blessed  and  praised  h^ 
the  holy  name  of  the  Lord,  whose  power  hath  d5p«; 

n  3 


i 


Q34 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


minion  over  all,  and  whom  the  winds  and  seav 
obey/' 

How  similar  are  these  reflections,  to  those  of 
the  excellent  Addison,  on  a  like  occasion.  When 
describing  his  perilous  situation,  he  says, 

"^' Think,  O  my  soul!  devoutly  think. 

How  with  affrighted  eyes, 
Thou  savv'st  the  wide  extended  deep. 

In  all  its  horrors  rise. 

Confusion  dwelt  in  evVy  face, 

And  fear  in  ev'ry  heart; 
When  waves  on  waves,  and  gulphs  on  gulpH|||. 

O'ercame  the  pilot's  art. 

Yet  then  from  all  my  griefs,  O  Lord ! 

Thy  mercy  set  me  free, 
Whilst  in  the  confidence  of  prayV, 

My  soul  took  hold  on  thee. 

For  though  in  dreadful  whirls  we  hung,. 

High  on  the  broken  wave, 
J  knew  thou  wast  not  slow  to  hear, 

Nor'impotent  to  save. 

The  storm  was  laid,  the  winds  retir^d^. 

Obedient  to  thy  will ; 
•The  sea  that  roared  at  thy  commaod, 

At  thy  command  was  still. 

In  midst  of  dangers,  fears,  and  death,.. 

Thy  goodness  I'll  adore, 
And  praise  thee  for  thy  mercies  pasL, 
Aiul  humblj  hope  for  more.'? 


trrE   OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


235^ 


The  sense  of  the  succeeding  Stanza,  though  not 
expressed,  in  words,  by  George  Fox,  was  strongly 
acted  up  to  in  his  life,  and  at  his  death : 


»  ' 


1^ 


tt 


My  life,  if  thou  preserv^st  my  life. 
Thy  sacrifice  shall  be  ; 
And  death,  if  death  must  be  my  doom, 
Shall  join  my  soul  to  thee.'' 


On  their  arrival  in  Maryland,  they  went  with 
John  Burnyeat,  a  Friend  from  England,  who  had 
been  visiting  these  parts,  and  had  called  a  general 
meeting  of  FViends  in  this  province,  that  he  might 
take  leave  of  them  previously  to  his  departure  for 
his  own  country.  This  proved  ver)^seasonable  for 
George  and  his  companions;  it  b«ing  a  very  large 
meeting,  and  attended  by  many  of  the  most  respec- 
table inhabitants  of  the  country^  who  appeared  to  be 
well  satisfied  with  this  religious  opportunity.  After 
the  public  meetings  were  over>  the  meetings  for 
discipline  began ;  and  the  whole  continued  four 
days,  terminating  to  the  great  satasfaction  of  those 
who  attended.  This  was  also  the  case  with  a 
meeting  at  Cliffs,  where  many  who  had  been  back*- 
jliders,  were  restored';  and  several  meetings  were 
established  for  taking  car«  of  the  affairs  of  the 
church.  Whilst  in  this  province,  he  and  his  com- 
panions had  a  large  meeting  on  the  easterii  shore^- 
ft^  which  he  desired  tti«  lodiaa  Emperof  aa4  bir* 


T    I  , 


036 


lirE  OT  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  or  GEORGE  POX. 


237 


» 


Kings  might  be  invited.  The  Emperor  came, 
but  the  King8  being  at  a  greater  distance,  and 
having  some  difficulty  in  obtaining  leave  of  their 
council,  did  not  arrive  till  after  the  meeting  was 
over.  George,  however,  had  two  religious  oppor- 
tunities with  them  that  evening,  and  they  heard 
the  word  of  the  Lord' willingly,  confessing  to  its 
truth,  and  manifesting  a  desire  to  attend  more  re- 
ligious meetings.  Thus  did  this  laborious  Minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel,  publish  its  saving  doctrines  to 
Jew  and  Gentile;  to  professing  Christians,  and 
unenlightened  Heathens ;  earnestly  desiring  that 
all  might  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  and 
be  saved. 

Having  finished  his  services,  for  the  present, 
in  Marj-land,  he  and  his  companions  set  off 
for  New  England  on  horseback ;  being  desirous  of 
attending  a  half  year's  meeting  on  Long  Island. 
In  their  journey  through  a  wilderness  country, 
they  encountered  many  difficulties ;  sometimes  tra- 
velling a  whole  day  without  seeing  any  human  being- 
or  habitation.  They  frequently  slept  in  the  woods 
\iy  a  fire,  and  were  sometimes  accommodated  in 
the  Indian  wigwams.  One  night  they  lodged  at 
the  house  of  an  Indian  King,  who,  George  says, 
^as  a  very  pretty  man.  He  and  his  wife  entertained 
them  very  lovingly,  and  gave  them  the  best  accomh 
VAodatioR  they  had  j  but  having  caught  little  thai  (}ay 


in  hunting,  they  could  not  spare  much  provisions. 
It  seems  these  Indians  could  not  speak  English ; 
but,  at  another  pkce,  an  Indian  King  came  to 
them  who  understood  the  English  language;  and 
George  spoke  much  to  him  and  his  people,  who 
manifested  great  love  tmd  kiudncis  on  the  oc- 
casion* 

The  route  which  they  had  taken  led  them  owr 
feveral  rivers,  as  Miles  River,*  Wye,  Chester, 
Saxifrax,  Bohemia,  and  Delaware.  Near  the  last 
river  they  stopped  at  a  Dutch  town,  called  New- 
castle, fornoerly  New  Amsterdam,  from  which 
place  they  proceeded  by  West  and  East  Jersey ; 
and  at  length  arrived  safely  on  Long  Island,  about" 
two  days  before  the  half  year's  meeting  began, 
which  they  were  particularly  desirous  of  attend- 
ing. They  stopped  at  Gravesend  and  Flushing, 
in  their  way  to  Oyster  Bay,  where  the  meeting 
was  held.  It  continued  four  days,  and  was  at- 
tended by  several  persons  who  had  opposed  them- 
selves to  the  establishment  of  meetings  for  disci- 
pline. After  the  other  services  of  the  meeting 
were  over,  George  had  an  opportunity  with  those 
discontented  people,  who  were  much  brought 
down;  and,  to  use  his  own  words,  "  the  glorious 
irutli  of  God  was  exalted  aud  set  over  alL'^ 

♦  Perhaps  Wicomico* 


sas 


tlFE    OF    GEOUGE    FOX. 


From  Long  IsUxnA  the  Friends  sailed  to  Rho^ 
Island,  where  they  arrived  on  the  30tli  of  the  third 
month,  1672.  Aboat  a  week  after  theij'  arrival, 
came  on  the  yearly  meeting  for  New  England, 
and  other  colonies  adjacent.  This  meeting  con- 
tinued six  days  ;  chiefly  occupied  in  public  meetk- 
ings,  which  were  largely  attended  by  the  peo- 
ple of  all  ranks;  for  there  being  no  Priests  on 
the  island,  and  no  restrictions  as  to  religious  wor- 
ship, the  people  flocked  in  from  all  parts,  and 
heard  what  was  delivered  to  them  with  much  at- 
tention, diligence,  and  affection,  during  four  days. 
The  p«blic  meetings  being  over,  the  mens  meet- 
ing was  next  held,  and  after  that  the  womens. 
In  these  meetings  much  advice  was.  communicated 
lespectiiig  the  service  of  them,  and  "  that  all 
might  be  kept  clean,  sweet,  and  savoury."  When 
this  large  meeting  was  finished.  Friends  had  been  so 
nearly  united  together  in  the  bonds  of  gospel  lov€ 
and  fellowship,  that  it  was  hard  to  part,  and  they 
spent  two  days  in  taking  leave  of  each  other,  and 
of  those  who  lived  in  the  island;  after  which, 
"  being  mightily  filled  with  the  presence  and 
power  of  the  Lord,  they  went  away  with  joyful 
hearts  to  their  several  habitations**' 

Finding  great  openness  among  the  people, 
George  felt  his  mind  engaged  to  continue  longer 
on  the  island ;  Robert  Widdters,  w  ho  appears  to- 


LIFE    OF  GEORGE   F0X» 


csg 


m 


have  been  his  intimate  friend  and  fellow-labourer, 
remaining  with  him.  Whilst  here,  a  marriage  was 
solemnized,  which  George  and  his  companion  at- 
tended. The  manner  in  which  it  was  conducted 
gave  great  satisfaction  to  those  present,  who  ob- 
served tliat  they  "  never  saw  such  a  solemn  as- 
sembly, on  such  an  occasion ;  so  weighty  a  mar- 
riage, and  so  comely  an  order."  In  tliis  island  he 
also  met  with  some  Ranters,  who  opposed  the 
establishment  of  meetings  for  discipline;  with 
these  he  appointed  a  meeting,  which,  it 
seems,  terminated  to  satisfaction.  From  Rhode 
Island,  he  made  an  excursion  to  Providence, 
about  thirty  miles,  where  the  Governor  and  many 
others  accompanied  him.  Tlie  meeting  was  very 
large,  and  the  people  went  away  much  satisfied, 
desiring  to  have  another  meeting. 

Having  now  finished  his  service  in  Rhode 
Island,  he  went  to  Narraganset ;  where  he  had  a 
very  large  meeting,  which  was  of  good  service. 
Most  of  the  people  had  never  heard  Friends  preach 
before;  and  they  were  much  affected  with  what  was 
communicated  to  them.  At  one  place  in  this 
neighbourhood,  George  heard  that  some  of  the 
Magistrates,  who  did  not  then  understand  him  and 
his  principles,  said,  "  If  they  had  money  enough 
they  w  ould  hire  him  t»  be  their  Minister ;"  but 
«vheo  he  heard  tliis,  he  said  to  his  friends,  **  It  '33 


I 


^40 


tlFE  OF  CEOROE   FOX. 


time  for  me  to  be  gone;  for  if  their  eye  is  so  much 
to  me,  or  any  of  us,  Uiey  will  not  come  to  their 
own  teacher.** 

From  Narraganset,  George  and  his  companion 
returned  to  Rhode  Island ;  and  soon  after  sailed 
far  Shelter  Island,  about  twenty-seven  leagues  dis- 
tance; having,   besides  Robert  Widders,   James 
Lancaster,   George  Pattison,   and  John  Jay,   in 
company.    They  had  a  tedious  passage  of  three 
days.     Here  they  had  a  meeting  on  the  first  day 
of  the  week  with  the  European  inhabitants ;  and 
a  few  days  afterwards,  with  the  Indians.     This 
meeting  was  attended  by  the  King  and  his  Council, 
and  about  a  hundred  Indians  more.     They  sat 
down  quietly  like  Friends,  and  were  very  attentive 
whilst  George  spoke  to  them  by  an  interpreter. 
They  afterwards  manifested  much  love  ;  and  con- 
fessed to  the  truth  of  what  was  delivered  to  them. 
Before  he  left  the  island,  he  had  another  meeting 
with  the  inhabitants,  which  was  very  large  and  sa- 
tisfactory,  the  people  manifesting  much  regard 
both  to  him  and  to  the  truth  which  he  preached. 
In  concluding  the  account  of  his  services  in  this 
island,, he  makes  this  pious  ejaculation:  '*  Blessed 
be  die  Lord !  his  name  spreads  and  will  be  great 
among    the    nations^    and  <lreadful  among   the 
Heathen." 


I.IFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


941 


Having  spent  about  ten  days  in  Shelter  Island*^ 
they  sailed  for  Long  Island,  where,  after  a  very 
trying  passage,  they  landed  on  the  7th  of  the  6th 
month,  1672,  in  Oyster  Bay.  Here  they  had  a 
large  meeting;  after  which  they  went  to  Flushing, 
where  a  meeting  was  also  held ;  which  was  at- 
tended by  many  hundreds  of  people  from  different 
parts  of  the  island.  Of  this  George  observes, 
"  A  glorious  and  heavenly  meeting  it  was ;  (praised 
b^  the  Lord  God !)  and  the  people  were  nuich 
satisfied." 


From  Flushing  they  passed  to  Gravesend,  whenr 
they  had  "  three  precious  meetings  ;"  after  whic)& 
they  sailed  for  a  new  country,  since  called  Jersey. 
They  lauded  in  Middletown  harbour;  and  the 
ivext  day  travelled  into  the  country,  about  thirty 
miles,  through  woods  and  bogs.  One  of  the  latter^ 
in  particular  was  very  dangerous,  and  had  obtained 
the  name  of  Purgatory.  After  a  trying  journey, 
they  came  to  Shrewsbury,  where  they  had  a  very 
satisfactory  meeting  on  the  first  day  of  the  week. 
Durius:  the  same  week  was  held  the  men's  and 
women's  meetings  for  transacting  the  discipline  oT 
the  church.  These  meetings  George  Fox  was 
very  earnest  to  establish  in  this  <?ountry,  as  well 
as  in  Europe ;  being,  it  seems,  more  and  more, 
convinced  of  tlieir  utility  and  importance. 


24S 


LITE  or  GEORGE  FOX. 


'whilst  they  were  at  Shrewsbury,  John  Jay,  a 
Friend  of  Barbadoes,  who  had  accompanied  them 
from  Rhoile  Island,  was  thrown  from  a  horse,  by 
which  his  neck  was  dislocated.     When  taken  up, 
he  was  laid  on  a  tree,   and  considered  as  dead. 
Geor^^e  Fox  hasted  to  the  place  as  quickly  as  pos- 
fiible,   and,    when   he   came  (here,  united  in  the 
general  sentiment.     As  he  stood  over  him,  "  pity- 
ing him  and  his  family,"  he  took  hold  of  his  head, 
and  finding  it  move  any  way,  he  began   to  be  ap». 
prehensive  of  the  cause  of  his  situation ;  on  which 
he  endeavoured  to  put  the  head  and  neck  into  their 
right  place.     The  means  he  used  for  this  purpose 
he  thus  describes  :  "Throwing  away  my  stick  and 
my  gloves,  I  took  his  head  in  both  my  hands,  and 
setting  my  knees  against  the  tree,  1  raised  his  head, 
and  perceived  there  was  nothing  out  or  broken 
that  way.     Then  I  put  one  hand  under  his  chin, 
and  the  other  behind  his  head,  and  raised  his  head 
two   or   three   times    with   all  my  strength,   and 
hrought  it  in.     I  soon  perceived  his  neck  began 
to  grow  stiff  again,  and  then  he  began  to  rattle  in 
his  throat,   and  quickly  after   to  breathe.     The 
people  were  amazed ;  but  I  bid  them  have  a  good 
heart,  and  be  of  good  faith,  and  carry  him  into 
the  house.     Tliey  did  so,  and  set  him  by  the  lire ; 
but  I  bid  them  get  him  something  warm  to  drink, 
and  put  him   to  bed."     In  consequence  of  this 
treatment,  the  Friend  soon  recovered;  and  the 


XlFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


343 


I*' 


next  day  travelled  with  them  about  sixteen  miles, 
to  Middletown;  and  many  hundred  miles  after- 
wards. 

At  Middletown  they  had  a  large  and  satisfac- 
tory meeting,  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  place 
attending  it.  After  this  meeting,  they  went  to  the 
harbour  about  live  mile»,  intending  to  proceed 
from  that  place  into  Maryland,  through  the  woods  j 
fur  which  purpose  they  obtained  Indian  guides  as 
they  passed  along.  After  five  or  wx  days  hard 
and  difficult  travelling,  they  came  to  Newcastle, 
where  as  well  as  at  Middletown,  they  had  been  on 
their  way  to  Long  Island.  Here  the  Governor  resid- 
ed, and  kindly  gave  George  Fox  an  invitation  to  his 
house,  which  he  readily  accepted ;  his  companions 
being  also  well  provided  for.  The  next  day, 
being  the  first  of  the  week,  a  meeting  was  held  in 
the  Governor's  house,  which  the  inhabitants  of  the 
place  generally  attended.  Many  of  the  people 
confessed  to  the  truth  of  what  was  delivered,  and 
some,  it  appears,  were  so  far  convinced,  as  ta 
make  public  profession  of  it. 

Leaving  Newcastle,  they  travelled  through 
woods  and  bogs  about  three  days  more,  till  they 
came  to  the  house  of  Robert  Harwood,  on  Miles 
River.  Though  very  weary,  and  their  cloaths' 
much  soiled  with  travelling  through  th«  hogs^  thcjf 

X  % 


d44 


IIFE  OF-GEORGE  FOX. 


next  day  attended  a  meeting,  which  was  to  be  heW 
in  Ae  neighbourhood ;  and  on  the  First  Day  fol- 
lowing,  they  had  a  meeting  at  another  place,  with 
ifhich  the  people  were  much  satisfied.  The  wife 
of  a  Judge  who  attended  the  meeting,  said  she  had 
rather  hear  these  friends  once,  than  the  Priest*  $ 
thousand  times^ 

After  attending  some  other  meebngs,  they  we«t 
to  a  general  meeting  for  Friends  in  Maryland. 
Thi*  meeting  held  five  days,  the  first  three  being 
employed  in  meetings  for  public  worship,  to  which 
people  of  other  societies  came,  both  Protestants 
and  Papists :  Maryland  being  at  first  principally 
settled  by  Papists.  The  meetings  were  verj'  large 
for  that  new  settled  country,  a  thousand  people 
^metimes  attending.  It  seems  to  have  been  held 
■ear  one  of  the  large  rivers,  and  the  number  of 
boats  passing  backward  and  forward  gave  it  the 
appearance  of  tlie  river  Thames  at  London. 
"This  was,'^  (to  use  George's  awn  words,)  "  a  very 
heavenly  meeting,  wherein  the  presence  of  the^ 
Lord  was  gloriously  manifested,  Friends  were 
sweetly  refreshed,  the  people  generally  satisfied, 
and  many  convinced ;  for  the  blessed  power  of  the 
Lord  was  over  all :  evedasting  praises  to  his  holy 
same !" 

TTie  men's  and  women's  meetings  occupied  two 
days  J  and  after  these  were  finished,  George  and. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


!^5- 


Bis  companions  took  leave  of  Friends  in  this  part 
of  Maryland,  whom,  he  says,  they  left  well  esta- 
blished in  the  truth.  At  what  place  this  meeting 
was  held  does  not  appear.  After  it  was  over,  they 
went  by  water  to  the  western  sh^re,  and  thence  to 
Virginia,  having  several  meetings  in  their  way, 
which  were  numerously  attended,  and^  in  which  it 
appears  their  gospel  labours,  were  blessed  to  the 
edification  and  convincement  of  many.  The  last 
meeting  in  Maryland  was  at  Pattuxen,  from  which 
place  they  sailed  for  Virginia,  on  the  5th  of  Qtl^ 
month,  1672,  and  after  a  passage  of  three  days, 
arrived  at  Nansemoud,  about  two  hundred  miles 
from  Majyland.  Here  tliey  had  a  large  and  satis- 
factory meeting,  as  well  as  at  some  other  places  of 
Virginia  ;  but  did  not  make  much  stay  in  this  pro- 
vince, hastening  to  North  Carolina  ;  yet  they  met 
•with  great  openness  among  the  people,  and  a  far 
vourable  reception  of  the  gospel  truths  which  they 
were  concerned  to  preach.- 


In  their  journey  from  Virginia  to  Carolina,  they 
found  travelling  very  difficult.  Tliey  went  by 
pagan  Creek  to  Summerton,  and  thence  to  Bon- 
ner's Creek  in  North  Carolina ;  passing  through- 
many  bogs  aiid  swamps,  and  sleeping,  except  one 
■ight  at  Summerton,  in  the  woods.  At  Bonner's 
Creek  they  came  to  a  house,  the  fi^rst  thef  saw  iw 
Carolina,  and  here  lodged  by  the  fire.    Finding^ 


uo 


tlPE  or  GEORGE  tOt. 


themselves  much  wearied  with  travelling  on  horse- 
back, they  took  a  canoe,  and  passed  down  the 
creek  to  Hugh  Smithy  on  Macocomocock  river, 
and  afterwards  down  the  river  Maratick  to  Connie- 
oak  bay,  from  whkh  place  they  went  to  the  Go- 
vernor's ;  who  with  his  wife  received  them  kindly. 
Here  one  person  (a  doctor)  would  dispute  with 
the  Friends,  which  afforded  a  favourable  oppor- 
tunity for  explaining  their  principles  to  the  people ; 
particularly  respecting,  the  light  and  Spirit  of  God. 
This  the  doctor  denied  to  be  universal,  and  parti- 
cularly that  it  was  not  extended  to  the  Indians. 
All  Indian  being  near,  George  called  him  in,  and 
asked  him,  "  Whether  or  no  when  he  did  lie,  or 
do  wrong  to  any  man,  there  was  not  something  in 
him  that  did  reprove  him  for  it."     To  this  the 
Indian  replying  in  the  affirmative,  the  doctor  was 
shamed  before  the  Governor  and  the  people  ;  and 
being  unable  to  support  his  argument,  he  went  so- 
far  as  to  deny  the  Scriptures,  thus  exposing  him- 
self still  further  to  the  censure  of  the  company. 
After  lodging  at  the  Governor'*  house,  and  being 
very  courteously    entertained,   the   Friends  took 
boat  and  went  about  thirty  miles  on  the  river,  to 
die  house  of  Joseph  Scot,  one  of  the  representa-^ 
tives   of   the   country.      Here,   and   at   a   place 
about  four  miles   distant,  they  had  meetings,  m. 
which  theii  miuistry  appears  to  have  been  welli 
3«ceiyed., 


IIPE    09   OEORGE    FOX, 


247 


At  several  places,  during  his  travels  in  America, 
George  was  engaged  to  hold  meetings,  or  take 
opportunities  of  religious  conversation  among  the 
Indians  ;  his  truly  catholic  spirit  embracing  "  all 
nations,  and  kindreds,,  and  peoples,  and  tongues." 
Whilst  in  tliis  part  of  Carolina,  he  visited  this 
people,  and  spoke  to  them  by  an  interpreter, 
showing  them,  among  other  things,  "that  God 
made  the  world  in  six  days,  and  made  but  one 
woman  for  one  man ;  but  that  God  did  drown  the 
old  world  for  their  wickedness."  He  also  spoke 
to  thenv  "  concerning  Christ,  showing  them  that 
he  died  for  all  men;  for  their  sins  as  well  as  for 
others,  and  that  he  had  enlightened  them,  as  well 
as  others,  with  his  good  Spirit."  The  Indians, 
among  whom  were  their  young  king  and  several 
of  their  chief  men,  received  kindly  what  was  com- 
municated to  them- 


After   spending    about   eighteen   days   in    the 
northern  part  of  Carolina,  in  which  their  gospel 
labours-  had  been  blessed  to  many  of  the  people, 
they  returned  towards  Virginia,  taking  their  horses- 
again  at  Bonner's   Creek;  and,   after  two  dayi^ 
hard  and  dirty  travelling  among  the  bogs,  they 
again  came  to  Summerton;   where  they  met  with* 
a  kind  reception  from  a  woman,  who  entertained* 
^lem  when  there   before.     Here  they  had,   the* 
jiext  day,  a  very  good  meeting  with  the  iijliabV 


* 


r43 


LIFE    or    GEORGE    FOX. 


tants;  after  which  they  left  the  place,  and  tra- 
velled about  two  da>^,  till  they  came  among 
Friends  in*  Virginia.  In  this  journey  George  Fox 
says,  "  we  observed  great  variety  of  climates, 
having  passed,  in  a  few  days,  from  »very  cold  to  a 
w  arm  and  spring-like  country ;  but  the  power  of 
the  Lord  is  the  same  in  all,  is  over  all,  and  doth 
reach  the  good  in  all;  praised  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord  for  everl"  Thus  did  this  good  man  fulfill 
the  apostolic  injunction,^  "  In  every  tiling  give 
thanks  J' 


G«orge  Fox  and  his  companions  spent  about 
three  weeks  in  Virginia ;  having  many  meetings,  ia 
general  to  good  satisfaction.  They  had  also  some 
•lose  labour  among  their  own  Friends,  finding  som« 
disorderly  and  wrong  dispositions  had  crept  in, 
which  they  endeavoured  to  suppress  and  correct 
with  a  good  degree  of  success.  When  this  service 
was  finished,  they  returned  into  :Maryland  by  wa- 
ter, having  a  tedious  passage  of  about  fourteen 
•lays  up  the  Chesapeak,  in  an  open  boat;  during 
which  time,  landing  at  night,  they  fpequently  lodged 
in  the  woods,  tlie  wolves-  sometimes  roaring  about 
them.  Tlie  weather  also- was  extremely  cold,  by 
which  they  suffered  considerably.  They  anived 
at  James  Preston's,  on  Pattuxen  River,  about  one 
in  the  Moming,  having  sailed  about  two  hundred 
bhUsv    TW  n«xt  day,  being  the  first  of  the  weel^ 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


249 


notwithstanding  their  great  weariness,  they  at- 
tended a  meeting  in  the  neighbourhood;  and  duf- 
the  week  bad  several  other  meetings.  They  also 
"visited  an  Indian  King,  with  several  of  his  peo- 
ple, having  some  religious  conversation  with  theniy 
and  they  manifested  miich  kindness  aod  love» 

After  travelling  several  days,  and  holding  meet- 
higs  at  different  places,  they  returned  to  the  house 
of  their  Friend,  James  Preston,  which  they  found 
burnt  to  the  ground,  through  tlie  carelessness  of  a 
female  servant;  in  consequence  of  which,  the 
Friends  lodged  three  nights  on  the  ground  by  the 
fire,  in  the  eleventh  month.  The  weather  at  this 
time  was  extremely  severe,  more  so  than  usual  in 
these  parts ;  but  one  day  the  wind  turning  to  the 
southward,  the  heat  was  so  great  as  to  be  scarcely 
tolerable ;  yet  the  day  following  the  wind  return- 
ing to  the  north,  they  found  it  difficult  to  bear  the 
cold.  In  our  own  country,  sudden  and  great 
changes  are  not  uncommon  ;  but  the  extremes  of 
this  climate,  appear  to  have  been  much  greater 
and  more  sudden  than  we  experience,  or  it  w  ould 
scarcely  have  bee  a  noticed. 

After  spending  about  four  months  in  Mary- 
land, and  having  many  meetings,  some  of  which 
were  for  the  discipline  of  the  church,  and  one 
among  the  Indians,  George  and  his  companions, 
found  their  minds  at  liberty  to  return  to  England^ 


! 


H 


Q50 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   TO%, 


but  continued  till  the  general  meet'ing  for  the  pro- 
vince, then  approaching.     This  naecting  was  very 
numerously  attended,  both  by  Friends  and  others. 
It  was  a  time  of  divine  favour,  and  prepared  their 
minds  for  the  separation,  which  i\\e  next  day  took 
place ;  George  and  his  companions  sailing  on  the 
Slst  of  the  Sd  month,  167^^,  after  taking  an  aflfcc- 
tionate  leave  of  those  among  whom  they  had  been 
engaged  in  gospel  labour,  "  parting  in  great  ten- 
derness, in  the  sense  of  the  heavenly  life  and  vir- 
tuous power  of  the  Lord,  which  was  lovingly  felt 
amongst  them.^ 

On  the  28th  of  the  4th  nvouth,  they  arrived  \n 
King  Road,  in  the  Severn,  having  had  a  stormy  but 
short  passage,  after  they  were  clear  of  the  Capes 
of  Virginia,     lliey  landed  at  Shearhampton,  and 
rode  to  Bristol,  where  they  were  joyfully  received 
by  their  Friends ;  and  that  evening  he  wrote  to  his 
wife  to  inform  her  of  his  arrival.     This  letter  was 
principally  a  pious  effusion  of  grateful  acknow- 
ledvrments,  for  the  mercies  and  preservations  he 
had  experienced  in  his  late  travels,  in  a  wilderness 
country.    It  began  thus  :  "  Dear  heart.    This  day 
we  came  into  Bristol,  near  night,  from  the  sea ; 
glory  to  the  Lord  God  over  all  for  ever,  who  was 
our  convoy,  and  steered  our  course ;  who  is  the 
God  of  the  whole  earth,  of  seas  and  winds,  and 
made  the  clouds  his  chariot;  beyond  all  words, 
blessed  be  his  name  for  ever!     He  is  over  all  ift 
his  great  power  and  wisdom,  amen  I" 


CHAP.  xvm. 

i6T3  to  1677 ' — Continues  about  Bristol^  where  his  JVifi 
•and  others  mett  him. — '1  ravels  into  Gloucester  and 
Wdts. — Describes  the  service  of  women's  tneetings.-^ 
Comes  to  London. — Travels  with  his  wife  towards 
Swart hmore. — /*  arrested  on  the  way, ^  Is  imprisoned 
at  Worcester.'- Removed  by  Habeas  Corpus  to  London. 
-^Afterwards  to  Worcester,  and  again  to  London. — 19 
honourably  liberated,  and  goes  with  his  wife  to  Swart  A- 
more. —Continues  there  nearly  two  years, 

IjEORGE  fox  intending  to  continue  some 
time  about  Bristol,  his  wife  came  to  him  there,  with 
two  of  her  daughters,  and  her  son  in  law  Thomas 
Lower.  Several  other  Friends,  among  whom 
were  William  Penn  and  his  wife,  also  came  to 
\isit  him.  About  this  time,  a  great  fair  was  held 
at  Bristol,  whicb  bringing  a  large  concourse  of 
people  together,  and  continuing  several  days, 
Friends,  it  appears,  embraced  the  opportunity, 
which  was  thus  afforded,  of  publishing  their  doc- 
trines, and  preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ  to  the 
people.  George  hud  much  service  in  the  meetings, 
which  were  now  held ;  in  which  he  observes, 
"  many  deep  and  precious  things  were  opened  by 
the  eternal  Spirit,  which  searcheth  and  reveuleth 
the  deep  things  of  God." 


ii' 


i 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


Having  finished  his  present  service  in  Bristol, 
he  travelled  into  Gloucestershire  and  Wilts.     At 
Slaughtenford,  in  the  latter  county,  he  was  con- 
cerned to  recommend  the  establishment  of  a  wo- 
men's meeting ;  but  he  met  with  some  opposition, 
which,   however,   he  was  enabled  to  overcome. 
The  object  of  these  meetings  he  thus  perspicu- 
ously describes :  "  That  faithful  women,  called  to 
the  belief  of  the  truth,  made  partakers  of  the 
same  precious  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  same  ever- 
lastin«»  gospel  of  life  and  salvation  as  the  men  are, 
might,  in  like  manner,  come  into  the  possession 
and  practice  of  the  gospel  order ;  and  therein  be 
ifteet  helps  to  the  men,  in  the  affairs  of  the  church, 
as  they  are  outwardly  in  civil  and  temporal  things. 
1%at  so  all  the  family  of  God,  women  as  well  as 
men,  might  know,  possess,  perforin,  and  discharge 
their  offices  and  services  in  the  house  of  God; 
whereby  the  poor  might  be  better  taken  care  of ; 
the  younger  sort  instructed,  informed,  and  taught 
in  the  way  of  God ;  the  loose  and  disorderly  re- 
proved and  admonished  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ; 
the  clearness  of  persons  proposing  marriage  more 
closely  and  strictly  inqiiired  into,  in  the  wisdom 
of  God;  and  all  the  members  of  the  spiritual 
body,  the  church,  might  watch  over  and  be  help* 
ful  to  each  other  in  love.** 


<tIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


«55 


From  Wiltshire  he  proceeded  through  Hamp- 
shire, Oxfordshire,  and  Bucks,  to  London ;  where 
he   found  the  Baptists   and  Socinians  had  been 
writing  against  the  society,   which  brought  much 
exercise  on  his  mind ;  but  their  books  were  an- 
swered, and  their  scandalous  reflections  confuted. 
It  appears,  that  he  continued  a  considerable  time 
in  and   about  London;   making  excursions  into 
Essex,  Middlesex,  and  Surrey,   Whilst  in  the  city, 
he  was  concerned  to  obtain  relief  for  some  of  his 
Friends,   who  were  suffering  for  opening   their 
shops  upon  fasts  and  holidays,  as  they  are  called. 
He  considered  such  observances,  in  these  times^ 
at   best    but  human   appointments,   if  they   did 
not    obscure    the    light    of   the    gospel  j    and, 
being    often   connected    with    circumstances    m 
which  Friends   could   not   unite,    they  therefore 
early  declined  complying  with  these  practices;  for 
which,  at  this  time,  as  at  many  others,  they  under- 
went much  suffering.     After  he  had  performed 
this  service,  he  accompanied  his  wife  and  one  of 
her  daughters  to  Hendon,  in  Middlesex;  and  they 
afterwards  paid  a  visit  to  William  Penn,  at  Rick- 
mansworth.    George  and  his  wife  were  now  goino- 
for  the  first  time,  after  having  been  married  four 
years,  to  their  own  home  at  Swarthraore ;  but  this 
reasonable  attempt  was  prevented  by  the  malice 
of  his  enemies.      On  their  way,  he  visited  his 
Friends,  and  had  the  satisfaction  to  find  a  consi- 


254 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


255 


derable  increase  of  their  numbers  in  several  parts  j 
but  in  passing   throuj^h  Worcestershire,  he  ^vas 
arrested,  after  a  meeting  at  Armscot,  and,  xMth 
Thomas  Lower,  committed  to  Worcester  jail,  by 
a  stranse  warrant  from  Henry  Parker,  a  Justice. 
Of  this  imprisonment  he  appears  to  have  had  a 
previous  sense  given  him,  and  had  mentioned  it  to 
his  wife,  who,  with  her  daughter,  was  accompanied 
home  by  some  kind  Friends.     She  seems  to  have 
felt  the  disappointment  very  keenly,  as  may  rea- 
sonably be  supposed,  and  is  also  inferred  from  the 
following  letter  from  her  husband. 

«  Dear  Heart  ! 

«  Thou  seemedst  to  be   a  little   grieved 
M^hen  I  was  speaking  of  prisons,  and  when  I  was 
taken.     Be  content  with  the  will  of  the   Lord 
God :  for  when  I  was  at  John  Rouse's,  at  Kings- 
ion,  1  had  a  sight  of  my  being  taken  prisoner ;  and 
v^hln  1  was  at  Bray  Doily's,  in  Oxfordshire,  as  I 
Mt  at  supper,  1  saw  1  was  taken  ;  and  I  saw  1  had 
a  suffering  to  undergo.     But  the  Lord's  power  is 
over  all.     Blessed  be  his  holy  name  for  ever !" 

He  and  his  companion  in  prison,  Thomas 
Lower,  laid  their  case  before  several  Magistrates; 
but  received  no  redress.  Thomas  might  have  ob- 
tained  his  liberty  through  the  interest  of  his  bro- 
ther,  Dr.  Lower,  one  of  the  King's  Physicians; 
yet  he  did  not  incline  to  make  any  use  of  those 


letters  which  he  received  for  that  purpose,  his  at- 
tachment to  his  friend  and  father-in-law,  inducing 
him  to  prefer  confinement  with  him,  to  liberty 
without  him. 

When   the   Quarter   Sessions   came   on,    they 
were,  on  the  hist  day  of  the  sitting,  brought  into 
court ;  and  their  accusers  not  being  able,  and  in- 
deed  scarcely   attempting,   to   substantiate   their 
charge   agai>ist   them,  recourse  was  had  to  the 
usual  snare  of  putting  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and 
supremacy  to  George  Fox,  against  whom  their 
enmity  principally  lay.     The  oath  not  being  put 
to  Thomas  Lower,  he  obtained  his  liberty,  which 
he  employed  in  attendance  on  his  father,  and  in 
endeavouring  to  procure  his  liberation  also.     For 
this  purpose  an  habeas  corpus  was  obtained ;  and 
George  Fox  was  removed  to  London,  under  the 
care  of  his  son-in-law.  Lower,  v\hom  the  Under 
Sheriff  had  made   his  deputy.     Tliis  and  many 
similar    circumstances,    show    the    strong   sense 
which  was  entertained  of  the  innocence  of  our 
ancient  Friends ;  and  is  a  presumptive  proof,  at 
least,  that  malice,  more  than  any  apprehension  of 
real  guilt,  influenced  the  conduct  of  their  persecu- 
tors :    but    persecution   is   composed   of    incon- 
sistencies. 

George  Fox  and  Thomas  Lower  left  Worces- 
ter on  the  Cyth  of  1 1th  mondi;  lG7^f,  and  reached 


Y 


r» 


256 


LIFE  or*  GEORGE  POX. 


London  on  the  2d  of  12th  month.     On  the  two 
following  days,  George  appeared  in  the  Court  of 
King's  Bench ;    and  from  the  disposition  whicli 
appeared  in  the  Judges,  and  the  ability  with  which 
his  cause  was  pleaded  by  Jones,  the  King's  attor- 
iiey,  and  others,  hopes  were  entertained  that  he 
might  be  liberated.   But  his  adversaries  afterwards 
moving  the  Court  that  he  might  be  returned  to 
Worcester,  they  prevailed  with  the  Judges  to  com- 
ply with  their  motion.    This  appears  to  have  beea 
principally  effected  by  the  influence  of  Justice 
Parker,  who  committed  him,  and  who  reporter! 
that  there  were  several  substantial  men  with  him 
when  he  was  taken,  and  that  they  had  a  design  or 
plot  in  hand  ;  for  the  better  effecting  of  which, 
Thomas  Lower  continued  in  prison  after  his  libe- 
ration, long  enough  to  carry  on  their  design.    But 
this    report    was    disproved,    and    indeed   could 
scarcely  be  believed,  as  George  Fox,  after  refusing 
to  give  bail,  was  permitted  to  travel  down  to  Wor- 
cester at  his  own  leisure,  only  engaging  to  be 
there  at  the  Assizes,  which  commenced  the  2d  of 
Sd  month,   1674.     This  he  punctually  fulfilled; 
and,  at  the  Assizes,  it  appears  an  attempt  was 
made  by  his  adversaries,  not  to  have  him  brought 
up,  by  omitting  his  name  in  the  calendar ;  but  by 
application  to  the  Judge's  son,  he  was  brought 
into  Court,  where  Judge  Turner,  who  had  treated 
him  severely   at   Lancaster,  presided.      He   ap* 


LIFE  OF  GEOKGE  FOX. 


257 


peared,  however,  now  more  moderate,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  the  violence  of  Justice  Parker,  it  was 
thought  George  would  have  been  liberated.     The 
Judge  however   referred   the   case    back   to   the 
Quarter  Sessions ;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  through 
the  kindness  of  other  Justices,  the  prisoner  was 
permitted  to  have  the  liberty  of  the  town,  and  to 
lodge  at  a  friend's  house,  till  the  Sessions  came  on. 
This  interval    was   employed    in    promoting   the 
cause  of  truth  in  various  ways,  and  particularly  by 
disputations  with  priests  of  different  religious  socie- 
ties.    When  the  time   of  the   Sessions  arrived,  he 
appeared  before  the  Justices;  but  Justice  Street, 
the  Chairman,  who  was  also  a  Welch  Judge,  being 
unfavourably  disposed,  and  influencing  the  Jury, 
they  found  the  bill  against  him,  which  he  traversed, 
and  through    the   moderation   of  some   Justices, 
liberty  was  given  him  till   the  next  Quarter  Ses- 
sions.    Alter  obtaining  a  copy  of  his   indictment, 
he  travelled  towards  l^ndon,  visiting  his  Friends  on 
his  way  thither.     Whilst  in  the  city,  some  of  his 
kind,   but  oflkrious,  friends,  endeavoured  again  to 
bring  the  case  into  the  King's  Bench  ;  but  did  not 
succeed,  the  bu'iiness  being  too  far  proceeded  in  at 
Worcester.      George   continued   in  London    till 
after  the  yearly  meeting  there,  which  he  attended, 
and  describes  it  in   these  emphatic  words  :  "  Ex- 
ceeding glorious  the  meetings  were,  beyond  ex- 
pression.    Blessed  be  the  Lord!" 

y  3 


^59 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FO:X:. 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


250 


The  yearly  meeting  being  finished,  he  soon  afteii^ 
returned  to  Worcester,  to  be  present  at  the  Quar- 
ter   Sessions  ;   where   Justice   Street  again  pre- 
sided, and  tendered  the  oaths  to  the  prisoner  ;  but 
George  proceeded  to  show  the  errors  of  the  in- 
dictment, ou  ^^hich  he  was  then  to  be  tried,  and 
clearly  pointed  out  many  errors   and  omissions, 
which  were  acknowledged  by  the  Judge ;  yet  the 
jury  were  induced  by  him  to  return  their  verdict 
guilty,  and  he,  in  an  indirect  way,  passed  sentence 
of  premunire  upon  George  Fox.     Many  of  the 
Justices  were,  however,  very  moderate  and  kind  ; 
and  John  Ashley,  a  lawyer,  voluntarily  defended 
his  cause ;  but  Justice   Street,  sitting  as  Judge, 
over-ruled  them  all.     A  sou  of  the  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury  was  also  very  kind,  and  being  much  grieved 
at  the  injustice  of  the  Court,  took  a  copy  of  the 
errors  of  tlie  iudictment 

Being  now  fixed  in  prison  by  »  premunire,  his 
wife  came  to  him  ;  and,  at  the  succeeding  Assizesy 
she  and  Thomas  Lower  delivered  a  state  of  hi» 
case  to  Judge  Wild;  containing  the  various  cir- 
cumstances from  his  commitment  to  the  sentence 
of  premunire;  on  which  the  Judge  observed,  that 
they  might  try  the  validity  or  mvalidity  of  the  eiv 
tors  if  they  would.  This  hint  it  appears,  waa 
afterwards  acted  upon* 


In  the  mean  time,  M'hilst  ability  was  afforded, 
George  employed  himself  in  various  acts  of  use- 
fulness, to  the  good  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged ; 
and  among  others,  addressed  a  brief  statement  of 
the  principles  of  the  society  to  the  King ;  not  with 
a  view  to  his  own  release,  but  for  general  benefit. 
Applications  were  made  by  others  to  the  King  on 
his  behalf,  who  was  so  favourably  disposed,  as  to 
be  willing  to  grant  him  a  pardon ;  but  a  pardon 
implying  guilt  in  the  person  pardoned,  George's 
high  and  just  feelings  of  honour,  would  not  permit 
bim  to  accept  his  liberation,  in  any  manner  dis- 
honourable to  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged.. 

Dnring  his  confinement  at  this  time,  he  had  a 
very  severe  fit  of  illness,  in  which  he  was  supported 
hy  that  Christian  fortitude,  which  peculiarly  mark- 
ed his  conduct  in  all  his  sufferings.  After  being 
restored  to  better  health,  and  obtaining  liberty  to 
walk  info  the  city,  his  wife  went  to  Loudon,  to  use 
means  for  his  release  ;  but  as  the  King  could  grant 
-nothing  but  by  way  Of  pardon,  George  chose  to 
have  the  validity  of  his  indictment  tried  before  the 
Judges;  and  employed  Thomas  Corbet  of  Loi^ 
don,  for  his  counsellor.  An  Habeas  Corpus  was 
accordingly  sent  to  Worcester,  by  which  he  was. 
removed  to  London ;  and  a  few  days  afterwards 
was  brought  into  the  Court  of  King's  Bench^ 
Hihere,  among  others  was  Judge  Hale»    At  the 


■■I 


£60 


LIFE  OF  geouge  fox. 


first  sitting,  Corbet  started   an   objection  wbich 
greitly  puzzled  the  Judges,  saying,  "they  could 
not  imprison  any  man  on  a  premunire."  This  point 
appears  to  have  been  left  undecided;   and,  the 
next  day,  tlie  Court  proceeded  to  try  the  errors  of 
the  indictment,  >*hich,  being  opened,  were  so  many 
and  so  gross,  that  the  Judges  were  unanimously  of 
opinion,  it  was  quashed  and  void,  and  that  the 
prisoner  ought   to  have  his  liberty.      After  this 
honourable  acquittal,  some  persons   present  pro- 
posed the  oaths  being  again  tendered,  telling  the 
Jud«Tes   that  he   was   a  dangerous  man  to  be  at 
liberty;  but  Judge  Hale   totd  them  that  he  had 
indeed  heard  some  such   reports  ;  but  he  had  also 
heard  many   good  reports.     He  therefore,  wiih 
the  other  J  udges,  refused  this  cruel  request,  and 
ordered  the  prisoner  to  be  liberated  by  proclama- 
tion.    Counsellor  Corbet  acquired  great  credit  by 
Lis  defence  of  George  Fox ;  and  George  was  libe- 
rated in  a  manner  congenial  to  his  feelings,  after 
suffering  fourteen   months   imprisonment    for   no. 
crime  whatever.     "  The  Lord's  everlasting  power 
went  over  all,  to  his  glory  and  praise." 


Bein2  now  at  liberty,  he  continued  in  and  near 
London,  till  the  time  of  the  yearly  meeting  in 
1673;  after  which  he  and  his  wife  again  travelled 
tow  ards  Swarthmore,  having  one  of  her  daughters 
with  tliem.    Being  now  too  weak  to  ride  on  horse- 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOXj 


26  \ 


back,  they  travelled  in  a  coach,  visiting  Friends  as 
they  passed  along.  At  Lancaster,  where  George 
had  not  been  since  he  was  there  as  a  prisoner,  they 
attended  the  quarterly  meeting;  and  he  visited 
Friends,  both  in  their  men's  and  women's  meetings, 
which  were  very  full,  large,  and  peaceable.  On 
the  6th  of  4th  month,  they  reached  Swarthmore, 
where  he  found  it  necessary  to  rest,  in  order  to  re- 
cruit his  weakened  constitution,  which  had  suffered 
much  by  his  late,  as  well  as  by  former  iraprison- 
xnents. 

Whilst  at  Swarthmore,  he  w^as  visited  by  his 
Friends,  from  various  parts  of  this  nation  and  Scot- 
land. His  .old  persecutor,  Colonel  Kirby,  also 
visited  him,  and  even  welcomed  him  into  the 
country,  behaving,  in  appearance,  very  lovingly  ; 
yet  before  he  left  Swarthmore,  the  Colonel  mani- 
fested something  of  his  former  spirit;  but  did  not 
proceed  to  any  extremities. 

George  continued  nearly  two  years  with  his 
wife,  at  her  habitation ;  and  employed  his  time  in 
writing  many  papers  and  treatises  for  the  promo- 
tion of  the  cause  of  truth,  and  in  collecting  some 
others  heretofore  written;  besides  enjoying  the 
company  of  his  Friends,  to  whom  he  appears  to 
have  been  of  easy  access,  and  ever  ready  to  impart 
such  advice  as  their  circumstances  required.    Oue 


2G2 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX, 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


263 


of  the  papers  which  he  wrote  during  this  interval, 
gives  an  historical  account  of  the  progress  and  suf- 
ferings of  the  Society,  which  he  had  been  instru- 
mental  in  forming.  This  account  it  may  not  be 
improper  to  insert.     It  is  entitled, 

"  A  narrative  of  the  spreading  of  truth,  and  of 
the  opposition  from  the  powers  which  then  were, 
writteu  by  George  Fox,  in  the  yeai'  1676." 

"  The  truth  sprang  up  first  to  us,  so  as  to  be  a 
people  to  the  Lord,  in  Leicestershire  in  l644,  in 
Warwickshire  in  1 645,  in  Nottinghamghire  in 
1646,  in  Derbyshire  in  1647,  and  in  the  adjacent 
counties  in  1648,  1649,  and  1650  ;  in  Torksbire 
in  1651,  in  Lancashire  and  Westmoreland  in  1652* 
in  Cumberland,  Durham  and  Northumberland  in 
1653,  in  London  and  most  of  the  other  parts  of 
England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland  in  1654." 

"  In  1655  many  went  beyond  sea,  where  truth 
also  sprang  up,  and  in  1656  it  broke  forth  in  Ame- 
rica and  many  other  places." 

"  In  the  authority  of  this  divine  truth.  Friends 
stood  all  the  cruellies  and  sufferings  that  were  in- 
flicted upon  them,  by  the  long  parliament;  to  the 
spoiling  of  goods,  imprisonment,  and  death,  and 
over  all  reproaches,  lyes,  and  slanders  ;  as  well  as 
those  in  Oliver  Cromwell'*  time,  and  all  the  acts 


made  by  him  and  his  parliament ;  his  son  Richard 
after  him,  and  the  connnittee  of  safety  ;  and  after 
withstood  and  out-lasted  all  the  acts  and  procla- 
mations since  1660,  that  the  kmg  came  in." 

<'  Friends  never  feared  their  acts,  prisons,  gaols, 
houses  of  conection,  banishment,  nor  spoiling  of 
goods,  nay,  nor  the  loss  of  life  itself:  nor  was 
there  ever  any  persecution  that  came,  but  we  saw, 
in  the  event,  it  would  be  productive  of  good  ;  nor 
were  there  ever  any  prisons  that  I  was  in,  or  suf- 
fering's, but  it  was  for  the  bringing  multitudes  out 
of  prison  ;  though  they  who  imprisoned  the  truth, 
and  quenched  the  Spirit  in  themselves,  would  im- 
prison and  quench  it  without  them  ;  so  that  there 
was  a  time  when  such  numbers  were  in  prison,  that 
it  became  as  a  bye-word,  *  tiiith  is  scarce  any  where 
to  be  found  but  in  gaols." 

«  And  after  the  King  came  in,  divers  Friends  suf- 
fered much,  because  they  would   not   drink   his 
health,  and  say,  "  God  bless  the  king ;"  so  that 
many  Friends  were  in  danger  of  their  lives  from 
rude  persons,  who  were  ready  to  run  them  through 
with  their  swords   for  refusing  it,  until  the  king 
gave  forth  a  proclamation  against  drinking  healths; 
for  we  were  and  are  against  drinking  any  healths, 
and   all  excess,  both  before  his  coming    in   and 
after ;  and  we  desire  the  king's  good,  and  that  the 


I 


H^ 


f64 


|,1FE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


blessing  of  God  might  come  upon  him  and  all  hia 
subjects,  and  all  people  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth  ;  but  we  did  desire  people  not  to  drink  die 
kin<y's  health,  but  let  him  have  his  health,  and  all 
people  else;  and  to  drink  for  their  own  health  and 
necessity  only  :  for  diat  way  of  drinking  healths, 
and  to  excess,  was  not  for  the  king's  health,  nor 
their  own,  nor  any  others ;  which  excess  often 
brought  forth  quarrelling  and  destroying  one 
another :  for  they  destroyed  the  creation  and  one 
another ;  and  this  was  not  for  the  king's  wealth, 
nor  health,  nor  honour,  but  might  grieve  him  to 
have  the  creatures  and  his  subjects  destroyed  ;  and 
so  the  Lord's  power  gave  us  dominion  over  that 
also,  and  all  our  other  sufferings." 

'<  But,  oh !  the  number  of  suflferers  in  the  com- 
monwealth's and  Oliver  Cromwell's  days,  and  since ; 
especially  those  who  were  haled  before  the  courts 
for  not  paying  tithes,  refusing  to  swear  on  their 
juries,  not  putting  off  their  hats,  and  for  going  to 
meeting's  on  the  First  Days;  under  pretence  of 
breaking  the  sabbath  ;  and  to  meetings  on  other 
days  of  the  week  ;  who  were  abused  both  in  meet- 
ings and  on  the  highways." 


^  Oh !  how  great  were  the  sufferings  we  then  suv 
tained  upon  these  accounts;  for  sometimes  they 
would  drive  Friends  by  droves  into  the  prison- 


IIFE    OF  GEORGE   FOX. 


265 


ijouses  like  penfolds,  confine  them  on  the  First 
Days,  and  take  their  horses  from  them,  and  keep 
them  for  pretended  breach  of  their  sabbath ;  though 
tliey  would  ride  in  their  coaches,  and  upon  their 
fat  horses  to  the  steeple-houses  themselves,  and  yet 
punish  others.  And  many  Friends  were  turned 
out  of  their  copyholds  and  customary  tenements, 
because,  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  Christ 
and  his  apostle,  they  could  not  swear  ;  and  as  they 
went  to  meetings,  they  have  been  stoned  through, 
the  streets,  and  otherwise  cruelly  abused.  Many 
were  fined  with  great  fines,  and  lay  long  in  prisou 
for  not  putting  off  their  hats ;  which  fines  Friends 
could  never  pay,  though  they  kept  them  in  prison 
till  they  had  satisfied  their  own  wills  ;  and  at  last 
turned  them  out,  after  keeping  them  a  year  or 
more  in  prison." 

**Many  books  T  gave  forth  against  tithes,  showing 
how  the  priesthood  was  changed  that  took  them ; 
and  that  Christ  sent  forth  his  twelve,  and  after- 
wards his  seventy  disciples,  saying  unto  them, 
"  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give."  So  all 
who  do  not  obey  the  doctrine  and  command  of 
Christ  therein,  we  cannot  receive  them.'* 


"  I  was  also  moved  to  give  forth  several  books 
against  swearing,  and  diat  our  yea  and  nay  might 
be  taken  instead  of  an  oath,  which  if  we  broke, 

z 


ii66 


LIFE    OF    GEOECE    FOX. 


let  US  suflfer  the  same  punishment  as  they  \vh(^ 
broke  their  oaths.     And  in  Jamaica  the  governor 
-and  the  assembly  granted  the  thing  ;  it  is  also 
granted  in  some  other  places  ;  and  several  of  the 
Parliament  men  in  England  have  acknowledged 
the    reasonableness    diereof.      The    Magistrates, 
after  some  time,  when  they  saw  our  faithfulness  in 
jea  and  nay,  they  who  were  moderate,  both  before 
and  since  the   King  came  in,  would  put  Friends 
into  offices  without  an  oath ;  but  the  cruel  and 
envious  would  fine  Friends  to  get  money  of  them, 
though  they  could  not  pay  them  any." 

**Thus  the  Lord's  power  hath  carried  us  through 
all,   and   over   all,   to  his  everlasting  glory   and 
praise ;  for  God's  power  hath  been  our  hedge, 
our  wall  and  our  keeper,  (the  preserver  of  his 
plants  and  vineyard,)  who  have  not  had  the  magis- 
trate's sword  and  staff  to  help  us,  nor  ever  trusted 
in  the  arm  of  flesh ;  but  have  gone  without  these, 
or  Judas's  bag,  to  preach  the  word  of  life,  which 
>vas  in  the  beginning  before  they  were ;  which 
word  reconciles  to  God.     And  thousands  have  re- 
ceived this  word  of  reconciliation,  and  are  born 
again  of  the  immortal  seed,  by  the  Word  of  God  ; 
and  are  feeding  upon  the  milk  of  the  Word,  which 
lives  and  abides  for  ever." 

"  Many  have  suffered  death  for  their  testimony, 
la  England  and  beyond  the  seas,  both  before  and 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


267 


since  the  King  came  in ;  which  may  be  seen  in  an 
account  given  to  the  King  and  both  Houses  of 
Parliament ;  being  a  brief,  plain,  and  true  relation, 
of  the  late  and  sad  sufferings  of  the  people  of 
God,  in  sconi  called  Quakers,  for  worshipping,  and 
exercising  a  good  cousciuice  towardi  God  and 


man. 

«  By  reason  whereof  eighty-nine  have  suffered  till 
death;  thirty-two  of  which  died  before  the  King 
came  into  England,  and  fifty-seven  since,  by  hard 
imprisonment  and  cruel  usage.  Forty-three  have 
died  in  the  city  of  London  and  Southwark,  since 
the  Act  made  against  meetings,  &c.  about  iGGI, 
of  which  a^niore  particular  account  was  given, 
with  the  names  of  the  sufferers,  to  the  King  and 
parliament  about  1663." 

"  And  though  divers  laws  were  designed  aganist 
us,  yet  never  could  any  of  them  justly  touch  us, 
bein<^  wrested  and  misapplied  in  their  execution 
by  our  adversaries,  which  some  have  been  made 
to  confess.  All  those  laws  that  were  made,  and 
the  oath  which  they  imprisoned  us  for,  because,  in 
obedience  to  the  command  of  Christ  Jesus,  we 
could  not  swear  st  all,  were  not  originally  intended 
against  us;  and  yet  we  suffered  by  the  several 
powers,  and  their  laws,  both  spoiling  of  goods  and 
imprisonment,  even  to  death.  And  the  Governor 
of  Dover  Castle,  when  the  King  asked  him  if  hft 

-7     ^ 


2.G8 


LIFE  OF  GEOKGE  FOX. 


had  dispersed  all  the  sectaries'  meetingSi  said,  that 
he  had  ;  but  the  Quakers,  the  devil  himself  could 
not ;  for  if  he  did  imprison  them,  and  break  up 
their  meetings,  they  would  meet  again ;  and  if  he 
should  beat  them  or  knock  them  down,  or  kill 
some  of  them,  all  was  one,  they  would  meet,  and 
not  resist  again.  Thus  the  Lord's  power  did  sup- 
port and  keep  them  over  their  persecutors,  and 
made  them  to  justify  our  patience  and  lamb-like 
nature.     This  was  about  1671." 

"  Since  the  King  came  in,  three  Acts  have  been 
made  against  us,  besides  the  Proclamations,  by 
which  many  have  suffered  imprisonment  and  ba- 
nishment, and  many  to  death.  And  yet  for  all 
these  acts  and  proclamations,  persecutions,  suffer- 
ings, banishments,  faithful  Friends  are  as  fresh  as. 
ever  in  the  Lord's  power,  and  valiant  for  his  name 
and  truth." 

"  Some  weak  ones  there  were,  when  the  King 
came  in,  who  did  take  the  oath ;  but  after  they 
had  so  done,  they  were  sore  troubled  for  disobey- 
ing the  command  of  Christ  and  the  apostle  ;  and 
went  to  the  Magistrates,  condemned  themselves, 
and  offered  to  go  to  prison." 

*'  Thus  the  Lord,  in  his  everlasting  power,  hath 
Ibeen  the  support  and  stay  of  his  people  ;  and  still 
his  seed  reigns,  his  truth  is  over  all,  and  exceed* 
ingly  spreads  unto  this  year  1676*" 


CHAP.  XIX. 

IO77,  1678. — Leaves  Swarthmore. — Travels  into  York- 
shire f  and  thence  to  London. — Accompanies  William 
Venn  to  his  home  at  Wurminghurst. -^Returns  to  Lon- 
don, and  sails  icith  several  Friends  to  Holland. — M 
Amsterdam  urites  to  the  Princess  Elizabeth  of  the  Rhine. 
Her  answer. — Visits  many  places  in  Holland  and  Ger- 
manif.— Returns  to  England.-^Lands  at  Harwich,  atid 
goes  to  London. — Thence  into  Bucks  and  Bristol. — La- 
hours  much  and  successfullj;  with  those  who  oppose  the 
Discipline. — Returns  to  London. 

Having  finished  the  services  described  at 
the  latter  efid  of  the  preceding  chapter,  and  being  iu 
some  degree  recruited  in  his  health,  George  Fox 
left  Swarthmore,  the  2Gth  of  1st  month,  1677,  and 
travelled  with  some  difficulty,  through  Westmore- 
land, the  Dales  of  Yorkshire,  and  other  places  iu 
that  county,  till  he  came  to  York  ;  where  he  con- 
tinued a  few  days,  being  at  the  meeting  on  First 
Day,  which  was  a  very  large  and  favoured  oppor- 
tunity. Many  Friends  met  him  there  from  other 
parts  of  the  couaty,  with  whom,  as  well  as  with 
those  in  the  city,  he  held  meetings  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  at  the  house  of  John  Taylor. 


After  finishing  Kis  services  in  York,  and  writing; 
an  affectionate  letter  to  his  wifcj  he  travelled 


z  3 


1270 


IrrE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


fiotithward  by  Tadcaster,  Knottingley,  Doncaster^ 
&c.  into  Derbyshire,  Nottinghamshire,  and  Lei- 
cestershire. At  Leicester  he  found  many  Friends 
\vho  were  come  out  of  the  country  to  attend  a 
liorse  fair,  with  whom  he  had  a  very  good  meet- 
ing the  evening  before  the  fair ;  and  another  the 
next  evening  at  Knighton,  about  a  mile  distant. 
Thus  did  this  indefatigable  gospel  labourer  em- 
brace almost  every  opportunity,  at  which  a  num- 
ber of  people  were  collected,  for  promoting  the 
good  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged* 


From  Leicester  he  travelled  through  the  inter- 
mediate counties,  till  he  came  to  Loudon.  Pre- 
viously to  his  entering  the  city,  he  spent  a  few  days 
at  the  Widow  Haly's  at  Hendon,  and  at  William 
Mead's  at  Highgate.  By  the  latter  he  was  taken 
to  I^ndon,  and  being  fourth  day,  they  attended  the 
week-day  meeting  at  Gracechurch  street,  where 
his  Friends  were  much  pleased  to  see  him ;  and 
they  were  greatly  refreshed  together,  under  a  sense 
•f  the  divine  presence  and  power  which  accom- 
panied their  meeting. 

It  was  Mith  consideral)1e  difficulty  that  George 
bore  his  journey  to  London,  his  sufferings,  in  pri- 
son and  otherwise,  having  left  his  body  so  weak, 
that  he  could  not  travel  far  on  a  day ;  and  in  the 
sights  he  could  take  but  little  rest;  on  account  o$ 


IIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


271 


the  great  pains  to  which  he  was  subject ;  but  he 
gratefully  observes,  that  the  Lord's  power  was  over 
all,  and  carried  him  through  all,  to  his  praise. 

Finding,  in  his  journey  to  London,  that  some 
unfaithfulness  had  crept  into  the  society,  with  re- 
spect to  its  testimony  against  tithes,  occasioned 
principally  by  those  who  had  opposed  the  esta- 
bhshment  of  Christian  discipline,  George  was 
concerned  to  write  an  Epistle  to  his  Friends,  to 
stir  up  those  who  were  unfaithful,  and  to  encou- 
rage and  strengthen  others  in  supporting  tlieir 
Christian -testimony  in  this  respect. 

Soon  after  his  reaching  London,  the  yearly 
meeting  commenced,  "  wherein,"  to  use  his  own 
words,  "  the  Lord's  powerful  presence  was  very 
largely  felt,  and  the  affairs  of  tmth  were  sweetly 
carried  on,  in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  to  the  satis- 
faction and  comfort  of  the  upright-hearted.— 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  ever."^ 


Soon  after  the  yearly  meeting,  George  Fox  ac- 
companied his  friend  William  Penn  to  his  house 
at  Worminghurst,  in  Sussex,  where  he  spent  about 
three  weeks,  employing  part  of  hi»  time  (here  in 
replying  to  an  adversary's  book,  in  conjunction 
with  John  Burnyeat.  Returning  to  London,  he>. 
after  a  short  stay  there,  set  off  for  Harwich^  to 


272 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


embark  for  Holland,  having  felt  his  mind  drawn 
to  visit  Friends  there  and  in  Germany,  and  ta 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  people.  Some  other 
Friends  were  also  at  that  time  under  a  similar  con- 
cern; and  William  Penn,  Robert  Barclay,  George 
Keith  and  his  wife,  John  Furly  and  his  brother, 
William  Tailcoat,  George  Watts,  and  Isabel 
Yeomans,  one  of  Margaret  Fox's  daughters,  all 
took  passage  in  the  same  vessel.  They  sailed  from 
Harwich  on  the  25th  of  oth  month,  1677,  and 
were  landed  at  the  Briel  on  the  morning  of  the 
esth,  where  they  met  with  a  joyful  reception  from 
their  Friends ;  and  soon  afterwards  took  boat  for 
Rotterdam. 

George  Fox  and  the  other  Friends  attended  the 
meetings  at  Rotterdam  on  first  day,  which  were 
held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  FurJy ;  and,  after 
spending  two  or  three  days  here,  he  and  William 
Penn  parted  from  the  rest,  and  passing  by  Overkirk, 
Pelft,  Leyden,  and  Harlem,  came  to  Amsterdam. 
At  Harlem  they  appointed  a  meeting,  which  was 
numerously  attended,  and  proved  satisfactory  both 
to  Friends  and  others  who  were  present.  Whilst  at 
Amsterdam  they  were  at  the  qiuirterly  meeting 
there,  which  was  attended  by  Friends  from  Rotter*- 
dam  and  Harlem.  Here  also  the  other  Friends, 
vhom  they  left  at  Rotterdam,  met  them.  It  ap^ 
pears  that  Friends  had  not  yet  procured  meeting* 
houses  ]  for  the  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


273 


Gertrude  Dirick  Nieson.  It  was  a  large  and  ser- 
viceable meeting,  in  which  the  benefit  of  meetings 
for  discipline  was  explained ;  and,  at  a  subsequent 
meeting,  monthly  and  quarterly  meetings  were 
established ;  also  a  yearly  meeting  for  Friends  in 
Holland  and  Germany,  to  be  held  at  Amsterdam, 
which  was  very  satisfactory  to  Friends  in  those 
parts.  In  this  city  they  had  several  other  meet- 
ings, both  public  and  private ;  and  particularly  a 
very  large  one,  on  a  first  day,  which  was  attended 
by  a  great  variety  of  religious  professors.  In  this 
meeting,  Robert  Barclay,  George  Keith,  and 
William  Penn,  as  well  as  George  Fox,  were  en- 
gaged in  public  testimony,  and  "  the  meeting 
ended  quietly  and  well." 

George's  companions  left  him  at  Amsterdam, 
where  he  continued  a  few  days,  during  which  time 
he  wrote  an  Epistle  to  the  Princess  Elizabeth  of 
the  Rhine,  maternal  aunt  to  George  the  First, 
who  governed  a  small  territory,  and  was  a  very 
religious  and  virtuous  character ;  as  may  appear 
from  the  following  short  answer  to  George's 
letter. 


*' Dear  Friend! 

"  I  cannot  but  have  a  tender  love  to  those 
that  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  to  whom  it  is 
given  not  only  to  believe  in  him^  but  also  to  sixSet 


274 


riFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


for  him :  therefore  your  letter  and  yowr  Friends' 
visit,  have  been  both  very  welcome  to  me.  I 
shall  follow  their  and  your  counsel,  as  far  as  God 
will  afford  me  light  and  unction ;  remaining  stilly 

Your  loving  Friend, 

ELIZABETH.'* 

Scrffortj  the  30th  of  August y  1677- 

Being  clear  of  Amsterdam,  he  travelled  towards 
Friesland,  accompanied  by  John  Claus,  who  was 
his  interpreter.     In  their  way  they  had  meetings 
at  Alcniaer  among  Friends,  and  people  of  other 
professions,  which  were  held  peaceably  and  to  sa- 
tisfaction.    From  this  place  they  passed  to  Hoorn 
and  Enchkhuysen,  where  they  took  ship  for  Fries- 
land,  and  landed  at  VVorcum,  whence  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Harlingen,  tarrying  there  several  days, 
visiting  Friends,    and   attending   meetings    on   a 
first  day;  ^^hich  were  held  without  any  interrup- 
tion.    Some    religious    people   afterwards  came 
to  converse  with  George  Fox,  who  seemed  well 
satisfied;  and  they  parted  in  love  towards  each 
other.     From  Harlingen  they  went  to  Lewarden, 
and  lodged  at   tlie   house   of  a   Friend,   named 
Sy brand   Dowes.     Here  they  tarried   only  one 
Dight,  and  proceeded  by  Dockum,  Grouingen,  and 
Delfziel,  to  Embden.      At  this  place.    Friends 
kad  sufiered  much  persecution,  aud  were  often 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


275 


banished  from  it.  It  does  not  appear  that  George 
Fox  had  any  meeting  here,  except  a  small  one 
widi  Friends,  whilst  waiting  for  a  waggon,  of 
which  they  were  disappointed ;  the  owner  being 
afraid  of  having  his  horses  taken  from  him.  They 
therefore  took  boat  to  Leer,  where  they  visited  a 
Friend  who  was  banished  from  Embden.  Passing 
through  Strickhausen,  Deteren,  and  Oldenburgh, 
tliey  came  to  Delmenhurst.  Here,  after  being 
examined  by  the  guards,  they  went  to  the  house  of 
a  Burgomaster  to  lodge,  who,  it  seems,  kept  an 
inn.  There,  finding  many  people  collected, 
George  embraced  the  opportunity  of  preaching 
to  them,  and  warning  them  of  the  day  of  the 
Lord  that  would  come  upon  all  evil  doers.  The 
next  day  they  went  over  the  river  Weser  to  Bre- 
men, and  thence  to  Fisherholder ;  where  George 
had  some  religious  service  among  the  people;  and 
tlien  proceeded  towards  Buxtehude,  and  thence 
to  Hamburgh. 


On  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  they  ar- 
rived at  Hamburgh,  they  held  a  meeting,  which,  it 
appears,  was  attended  by  a  variety  of  people,  and 
proved  a  good  opportunity  of  relief  to  George's 
mind.  "  Yet,"  he  observes, "  a  hard  dark  place  this 
is,  and  the  people  are  much  shut  up  from  truth." 
^fter  encouraging  and  strengthening  the  minds  of 
their  Friends  there,  they  proceeded,  early  next 


276 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


morning,     towards     Frederickstadt.       In     their 
vay  they  passed   through  Ehiishoorn,   Rantzow, 
Itzeho,  and  Hogheuhorn,  having  some  religious 
service  at  the  two  last  places.     After  two  days 
travelling,  much  of  it  in  the  rain  and  in  an  open 
^vaggon,  they  came  to  Frederickstadt.    Here  they 
had  a  meeting  with  Friends  the  same  evening; 
with   which   their   spirits  were   much    refreshed, 
finding  a  considerable  number  of  their  own  society 
here ;  whose  company  and  kindness  appears  to  have 
been  peculiarly  grateful,  after  travelling  so  long 
among  strangers,  who  were  such  both  in  a  natural  and 
religious  sense.     Here  they  continued  several  days, 
having  a  public  meeting  with  the  inhabitants,  and 
a  private  one  among  their  Friends  only :  the  prin- 
cipal object  of  the  last,  was  to  establish  monthly 
meetings  for  discipline  in  that  city ;  which  was  rea- 
dily  complied   with.      Besides    these    meetings, 
George  Fox  had  some  religious  discourse  with 
t>vo  Jews,  relating  to  the  coming  of  the  Messiah; 
but  he  found  them  very  dark  and  ignorant  of  the 
meaning  of  their  own  Prophets. 

The  city  of  Frederickstadt  belonged  to  th« 
Duke  of  Holstein,  who  had  manifested  a  disposi- 
tion to  banish  Friends  from  it;  but  the  Magi- 
strates chose  rather  to  resign  their  offices  than 
comply  with  the  persecuting  disposition  of  the 
DHke;  they  themselves  having  come  to  that  city, 


^LFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX, 


277 


to  enjoy  liberty  of  conscience.  Tliis  was  certainly 
much  to  their  credit,  and  manifested,  (which  is  too 
seldom  the  case,)  a  proper  sense  of  the  right  and 
value  of  tliat  liberty,  which  they  had  sought  and 
obtained. 


Being  clear  of  Frederickstadt,  George  and  Vvs 
companions  returned  to  Hamburgh,  where,  being 
joined  by  John  Hill,  a  Friend  from  England,  they 
Jiad  a  v^ry  satisfactory  meeting ;  after  which,  and 
some  religious  discourse  with  different  persons, 
they  departed  from  this  city,  and  travelled  through 
the  DuLe  of  Lunenburg's  dominions,  with  much 
difficulty  and  danger  from  the  flooded  state  of  ihe^ 
country,  till  they  came  to  Bormer  Haven.  Thejr 
arrived  at  this  place  about  eleven  at  night ;  and 
procuring  some  clean  straw,  they  rested  till  four 
in  the  morning,  and  then  proceeded  to  Bremen. 

At  Bremen  they  staid  a  very  short  time,  and 
travelled  by  Keby,  Oldenburgh,  and  Leer,  to 
Einbden.  At  Oldenburgh  they  were  affected,  as 
they  had  been  when  there  before,  with  observing 
that  the  greatest  part  of  the  city  had  been  con- 
sumed by  fire;  but  their  sorrow  was  mcreased  by 
the  irreligious  conduct  of  the  people.  Iliey  were 
there  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and  observed 
that  the  soldiers  were  drinking  and  gaming,  and 
that  the  few  shops  which  remamed;  were  opea^ 

A  a 


27S 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE   FOX. 


and  the  people  trading  with  each  other.  George 
laboured  among  the  people  in  the  love  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  they  behaved  quietly  and  civilly  towards 
hnn ;  but  his  spirit  was  much  burdened  with  their 
wickedness,  and  the  little  sensibility  manifested 
under  their  late  affliction.  So  much  was  his  mind 
affected  with  their  conduct,  that,  after  his  return 
to  Amsterdam,  he  was  concerned  to  write  them 
an  Epistle,  to  warn  them  of  the  consequence  of 
their  impiety  and  wickedness. 

In  the  course  of  this  journey,  George  Fox  em- 
l>faced  opportunities  which  occurred  for  religious 
service,  in  many  of  the  places  through  which  he 
passed,  which  he  himself  describes  in  this  man- 
ner: "  Many  times  in  mornings,  and  at  noons  and 
ni'vhts;  at  the  inns  and  on  the  ways,  as  1  travelled, 
I  spake  to  the  people,   preaching  the   truth  to 
them,  warning  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord,  and 
exhorting  them  to  turn  to  the  light  and  Spirit  of 
God  in  themselves,  that  thereby  they  mi^ht  be  led 
out  of  evil." 


From  Oldenburgh,  he  and  his  companions  pro- 
ceeded by  I^eer  to  Embden,  where  they  staid  but 
one  night;  having  a  good  meeting  there  in  the 
evening.  Here  they  took  shipping  for  Delfzicl, 
where  they  found  a  Friend,  a  goldsmith  of  Emb- 
den, who  had  been  repeatedly  banished  from  that 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


e79 


city,  on  account  of  his  religious  principles ;  besides 
undergoing   various   other   sufferings,   ^^hich  the 
persecuting  Magistrates  had  inflicted  upon  him. 
This   Friend    they   comforted    and    encouraged, 
exhorting  him  also  to  faithfulness,  in  the  support 
of  the  testimony  committed  to  him.     Departing 
from  this  place  to  Groningen,  tliey  met  with  ano- 
ther Friend,  Cornelius  Andries,  who  was  also  ba- 
nished from  Embden.     At  his  house  they  lodged, 
and  had  a  good  meeting ;  after  which  they  passed 
by  Strobus   and  Dockum  to  Lewarden,   where 
George  found  his  daughter  Yeomans,  who  was 
come  from  Amsterdam  to  meet  him.      Here  they  • 
had  a  precious  meeting,  and  some  other  religious 
service.    .The   next  day,   John  Hill  having   left 
them,   they  went  by  several  lakes  to  Gardick; 
where  they  attended  a  meeting  of  Friends  on  lirst 
day,  to  which  many  people  of  other  religious  so- 
cieties also  came.    After  this  meeting,  and  another 
religious  opportunity  among  the  people,  they  re- 
turned to  Lewarden ;  whence  they  proceeded  by 
Franeker  to  Harlingen;  where  they  met  with  se- 
veral Dutch  Friends,  who  were  intending  to  hold 
their  monthly  meeting  there  the  next  day.     Here 
also  came  William  Penn  from  Amsterdam.     'The 
meeting  was  large  and  satisfactory ;  and  appears  to 
have  been  the  first  of  the  kind,  as  the  holding  of 
Buch  a  meeting,  both  by  men  and  women  Friends/ 


was  then  ai^rced  to. 


A  a  a 


280 


irPE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


The  service  of  the  meeting  for  discipline  being 
finished,  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  same  day.  This  meeting  was  attended 
by  persons  of  various  religious  denominations ; 
and  when  George  had  finished  preaching,  an 
ancient  grave  man,  who  was  a  Priest,  stood  up 
and  said :  "  I  pray  God  to  prosper  and  confirm 
that  doctrine,  for  it  is  truth,  and  I  have  nothing 
against  it/'  In  the  evening  George  had  another 
meeting,  with  Friends ;  and  the  next  day  he  and 
bis  companions  took  boat  foir  Amsterdam,  where 
they  arrived  so  late  that  the  gates  were  shut,  and 
they  were  obliged  to  continue  all  night  in  the  boat. 
Similar  circumstances  frequently  occurred  in  this 
journey,  and  subjected  the  traveller*  to  consi- 
derable inconvenience  and  haixiship. 


Having  next  day  obtained  entrance  into  Am- 
sterdam, he  continued  there  many  days ;  during 
which  time  he  was  under  great  exercise,  on  ac- 
count of  some  divisions  which  had  taken  place 
among  Friends  in  England ;  and  he  wrote  two 
Epistles  to  them  on  the  subject.  He  also  wrote 
one  to  Friends  at  Dantzick,  who  were  then  suffer- 
ing under  great  persecution ;  besides  several  other 
Papers  and  Epistles  on  account  of  the  Society, 
and  some  of  a  more  public  nature.  He  also 
attended  several  meetiiigs  whilst  at  Amsterdam, 
and  one  day  went  to  Landsmeer,  in  Waterland, 


ilFE    OF    GEORGE   FOX. 


28 IJ 


where  he  had  a  very  good  meeting.     This  town  i» 
remarkable  for  havmg  above  one  hundred  bridges- 
in  it,  generally,   we  may   suppose  rather  small. 
He  also  made  an  excursion  with  divers  Friends  to 
Harlem,  where  they  had  a  very  satisfactory  meeting. 
A  Priest  particularly  expressed  his  desire,  that  the 
blessing  of  God  might  rest  on  them  and  their  as- 
semblies; and  others  said,  they  had  never  heard 
things  so  plainly  opened  to  their  understandings 
before.     Whilst  George  Fox  was  at  Amsterdam, 
George    Keith   and  William  Penn   came   there, 
after  their  visit  to  Germany;  and  entered  into  a 
public  disputation  with  Galenus  Abrahams,  a  very 
noted  Baptist  in  lloliaml.    lliis  dispute  not  being 
finished  in- one  day,  was  adjourned  to  another  a 
few  days  distant,  when  it  terminated  to  the  satis- 
faction of  Friends.     In  the  intermediate  time,  a 
public  meeting  was  held  at  Friends'  meeting  place; 
to  which  many  hundreds  of  people  of  all  ranks^ 
came,  who  behaved  very  agreeably ;  but  some  op- 
position was  afterwards  made,  which  gave  an  op- 
portunity for  explanation,  by  which  the  objections 
which  had  been  brought  forward  were  removed  ; 
and  die  people  were  not  only  well  satisfied,   but 
went  away  much  affected  with  the  religious  com- 
munications,  which  they  had  that  day  heard. 


George  Fox  having  now  finished  his  services  at 
Amsterdam,   took   leave   of   his  Friends   there  5 


A  a  2 


28C 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOXT. 


BIFE  OF  GEORGE  F0T8. 


280 


and,  accompanied  by  William  Penn  and  George 
Keith,  went  to  Leyden,  where  they  staid  a  day  or 
two,  seeking  out  and  visiting  some  serious  tender 
people  in  that  city.  From  Leyden  they  passed 
to  the  Hague,  where  they  visited  a  Judge,  who 
appears  to  have  been  a  religiously  disposed,  as 
well  as  a  wise,  man.  With  him  they  had  much 
conversation,  in  which  he  advanced  many  objec- 
tions to  their  principles,  and  put  several  questions 
to  them,  which  were  satisfactorily  replied  to ;  and 
they  parted  in  much  mutual  love.  Leaving  the 
Hague,  they  went  by  Delft  to  Rotterdam,  where 
they  spent  some  days,  during  which  time  George 
IFox  published  an  address  to  the  Jews,  and  revised 
some  other  books  and  papers  which  he  had  writ- 
ten. After  this  and  some  other  religious  service^ 
he,  with  the  other  Frieinlsy  and  their  kind  hostess 
at  Amsterdam,  Gertrude  Dirick  jNieson,  and  her 
children,  went  to  the  Briel ;  and  sailed  on  the  2Jst 
of  8th  month,  1 677,  for  England.  Ihey  arrived 
at  Harwich  in  the  night  of  the  C3d,  having  had  a 
tedious  and  dangerous  passage,  in  a  leaky  vessel. 
There  were  about  sixty  passen<^ers>  among  whom 
the  Fnends  had  some  good  religioiw  service. 
Fix)m  Harwich  George  Fox  proceeded  by  Gol-^ 
Chester,  Halsted,  Braintree,  Felsted,  Saling,  ami 
Chelmsford;  to  London,  where  he  was  joyfully  re- 
ceived by  his  Frieiids ;  and  on  the  First  Day  fol- 
lowing thny  had  a  rt- freshing  meeting  together,  fof 
"wliicU  he  feelingly  praised  ihe  Loid. 


Finding"  various  occasions  for  his  services  in 
London,  he  continued  there  four  or  five  weeks, 
interesting  himself  on  account  of  his  suffering 
Friends,  particularly  those  in  New  England ;  of 
w  hom  he  had  received  very  distressing,  accounts. 
He  also  wrote  an.  excellent  letter  to  the  King  of 
Poland,  occasioned,  it  seems,  by  the  sufferings  of 
Friends  at  Dantzick.  Besides  his  own  arguments 
against  persecution,  it  contains  many  expressions 
of  Kings  and  others  on  the  same  subject.  This 
letter  was  received  and  read  by  the  King,  and  it  i3 
difficult  to  suppose,  that  it  could  fail  of  producing 
a  good  effect  on  his  mind. 

After  finishing  his  present  services  in  London, 
he  travelled  into  Buckinghamshire,  having  meet- 
ings at  xYmersham,  Hungerhill,  Jordans,  Hedgcly^ 
Wycomb,  and  Turvil-heath.  In  this  county  he 
met  with  much  opposition  from  the  Separates, 
particularly  at  a  men's  meeting,  which  was  held  at 
ITiomas  Ell  wood's,  who  lived  at  Hungerhill.  Here 
tliey  endeavoured  to  hinder  Friends  from  proceed- 
in**  with  the  business  of  tlie  mtetin^.  This^however, 
George  Fox  prevented,  by  proposing  a  meeting 
being  held,  for  the  purpose  of  hearing  and  answer- 
ing their  oljecions.  A  meeting  was  accordingly 
appointed  to  be  held,  in  the  following  week,  at 
Thomas  EUwood^s.  It  was  larg.ely  attended,  and 
the  opposers  had  opportuuity.  given  to  state  thei*^ 


284 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


objections,  in  which  they  manifested  a  particular 
enmity  to  George  Fox  ;  but  he  not  only  repelled 
their  accusations,  but  answered  their  objections  in 
sucli  a  manner,  that  the  opposers  greatly  lost 
ground  ;  and  many  who  were  weak  and  waverings 
w  ere  restored  to  more  full  unity  with  their  Friends, 
and  satisfied  with  the  religious  care  exercised 
among  them.  Faithful  Friends  were  also  united 
and  refreshed  together ;  and  the  cause  of  truth 
was  much  promoted  by  this,  and  a  sinuiar  meeting 
held  at  VVycomb  during  the  same  week. 

After  completing  his  services  in  Bucks,  George 
travelled  into  Oxon,  Berks,  and  Wilts,  visiting 
his  Friends,  and  having  meetings  amongst  them. 
At  Reading  he  again  met  with  some  opposition, 
in  the  settling  of  a  women's  meeting  ;  but  the 
opposers  were  obliged  to  give  way  to  "  the  weight 
©f  truth,"  w  ith  w  hich  they  had  to  contend ;  and 
the  meeting  appears  to  have  been  established. 

From  Wiltshire,  George  went  to  Bristol,  where 
he  arrived  the  24th  of  lllh  month  ;  just  before 
the  fair.  1  his  was  a  time  of  great  concourse,  and 
many  Friends  attended  it  on  business;  while  others 
came  there  in  the  service  of  truth.  "  Many  sweet 
and  precious  meetings"  they  had  together ;  and  great 
love  and  unity  prevailed  among  those  who  stood 
fcilhful,  against  tliat  spirit  of  opposition;  whicb 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


^SS 


had  manifested  itself  in  many  places,  and  partici*- 
laily  at  Bristol.  George  Fox  was  personally  the 
butt  of  the  opponents,  who  manifested  much  in- 
veteracy against  him  ;  but  he  bore  this,  as  he  had 
done  other  suftering^,  with  heavenly  patience; 
bein<'  more  desirous  to  surmount  opposition  by  a 
righteous  and  exemplary  life,  than  verbaHy  to 
plead  his  own  cause,  though  firm  in  maintaining 
what  he  considered  to  be  the  cause  of  truth.  By 
this  conduct,  the  love  of  faithful  Friends  towards 
him  was  increased  ;  and  some  who  had  been  mis- 
led by  his  adversaries,  seeing  their  envy  and  rude 
behaviour,  returned  to  the  unity  of  their  Friends ; 
and  were  thankful  for  the  deliverance  from  the 
snare,  i»  which  they  were  in  danger  of  being 
caught. 


After  he  had  finished  his  services  in  Bristol,  he 
travelled  through  the  counties  of  Gloucester,  Wor- 
cester, Warwick,  Oxford,  Buckingham,  Hertford, 
and  Bedford,  to  London ;  where  he  arrived  the 
8t^  of  Sd  month,  1678.  In  this  journey  he  had 
meetings  with  Friends  at  many  places.  At  Wor- 
cester, where  a  few  years  before  he  had  suffered  a 
cruel  imprisonment,  he  staid  several  days,  and  had 
much  religious  service  among  his  Friends.  At 
Ragley,  in  Warwickshire,  he  visited  Lady  Conway^ 
who,  he  understood,  was  desirous  to  see  him ;  and 
she  received  him  witli  great  kindness  and  tender- 


£80* 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


ness  *  In  this  neighbourhood  he  was  visited  by 
William  Dewsbury,  who  was  then  a  prisoner  at 
Warwick  ;  but  it  seems  had  liberty,  at  times,  to 
visit  his  friends.  They  spent  half  a  day  together, 
no  doubt  to  their  mutual  satisfaction.  On  the  day 
of  George's  arrival  in  London,  he  went  to  the 
week-day  meeting  at  Gracechurch  street,  where 
he  says,  "  many  Friends  not  knowing  I  was  come 
to  town,  were  very  joyful  to  see  me  there ;  and 
tlie  Lord  was  present  with  us,  refreshing  us  with 
his  living  virtue  ;  blessed  be  his  holy  name !" 


♦  A  particular  account  of  this  extraordinary  wonoan,  may 
be  found  lu  the  Life  of  Dr.  Henry  More;  mixed,  however, 
with  some  representations  of  the  (Quakers.  F-urther  notice 
will  probably  be  taken  of  her  in  the  course  of  this  work. 


CHAP.  XX. 

X67S  to  l684 — His  services  in  London, -^ Goes  bi/  Herts, 
Warwickshire,  d^c,  to  Sivarthmore.  "Continues  there 
above  a  i/ear.—'JFrites  an  Epistle  to  the  Yearly  Meeting 
in  London —Jjcaves  bwarthmore,  and  goes  by  York- 
shire, SsC,  to  London," Attends  the  Yearly  Meeting 

there, At  Kingston  writes  to  the  Great   Turk,  and 

to  the  King  of  Algiers.^yisUs  Friends  in  Surrey  and 
Sussex.-^Rdurns  to  London.— In  a  Suit  for  Tithes,  the 
Judges  are  surprized  at  his  liberal  conduct  to  his  Wfe 
mnd  her  children, — Makes  excursions  to  the  country,  re- 
turning to  London. — Again  visits  Holland,  and  returns 
to  England, 

'^VHEN  George  Fox  arrived  in  London,  the 
Parliament  was  sitting ;  and  he  united  with  other 
Friends,  in  applying  for  relief  for  those,  who  were 
suffering  under  laws  made  against   Popish  recu- 
sants.    In  about  two  weeks,  the  yearly  meeting 
came  on.     This  meeting  appears  to  have   been 
very  comfortable  and  refreshing  to  Friends,  who 
wer€  nearly  united  to  each  other  in  gospel   love 
and  fellowship ;  and  no  spirit  of  opposition  mani- 
fested itself  amongst  them.     They  had  also  com- 
fortable accounts  from  Friends  in  different  parts 
of  Europe  and  America ;  of  all  which  he  gives  a 
particular  account  in  a  letter  to  his  wife,  written 
soon  after  this  yearly  meeting. 


^83 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE   FOX. 


But  though  the  yearly  meeting  was  thus  satis- 
factory, George  suffered  much  in  his  spirit,  on 
account  of  a  prevailing  disposition,  in  many,  to  de- 
part from  the  simplicity  ami  j>urity  of  their  pro- 
fession, and  particularly  to  oppose  the  excellent 
discipline  estal)lished  in  the  society ;  for  whose 
sake  he  published  a  paper  "for  undeceiving  the 
deceived,  and  opening  the  understandings  of  the 
weak  in  this  matter."  It  contains  many  sound 
observations  and  arguments,  and  had  probably  a 
good  effect ;  though  many  of  those  who  were 
settled  in  their  opposition,  did  not  profit  by  it. 

During  his  residence  in  London  at  this  time,  the 
Parliament  sat  again ;  and  he  was  again  engaged 
in  endeavouring  to  procure  redress  for  his  suffering 
Friends,  to  \\hich  many  of  the  Members  were 
much  inclined  ;  but  other  engagements  prevented 
any  thing  being  done  at  that  time. 

Having  finished  his  services  in  the  city,  for  the 
present,  he  went  to  Hertford,  where  he  spent  se- 
veral days,  and  had  much  religious  service  of 
various  kinds.  From  Hertford  he  went  by  Rab- 
ley  Heath,  Stevenage,  Baldock,  Hitchin,  and 
Ashwell,  into  Bedfordshire,  having  meetings  at  all 
those  places.  In  Bedfordshire  he  had  many  meet- 
ings, and  nnich  service  in  the  cause  of  his  Master; 
and  then  passed  into  Huntingdonshire.     At  Ive5, 


LIFE    OP   GEORGE    FOX. 


m 


ill  tliis  county,  he  was  met  by  his  friend  George 
\\  hitehead;  and  they  travelled  together  into  North- 
amptonshire and  Leicestershire.     They  parted  at 
Great    Bowden ;    and    George    Fox    continued 
in   this  county,  havhig   meetings   at  Saddington, 
AMi^ston,  Knighton,  Leicester,  Sileby,  and  Swan- 
ington.     In  these  places  he  found  a  great  dispo- 
sition to  receive  his  ministry,  and  was  led  to  open 
"  many  weighty  and  excellent  truths"  to  the  people. 
While  he  was  at  Leicester,  he  visited  his  Friends 
who  were  in  prison  for  their  religious  testimonies ; 
encouraging   them    to  faithfulness    and    patience 
under  their  sufferings.     He  also  endeavoured  to 
interest  the  jailer  in  their  favour,  advising  him  to 
treat  them  with  kindness  and  all  reasonable  Ut- 
dulgence. 

From  Warwickshire  he  went  into  Staffordshire ; 
where  he  had  many  open  meetings,  tending  to 
gather  those  to  whom  he  ministered,  into  a  feeling 
of  <yospel  truth,  and  to  establish  others  therein. 
After  spending  some  time  in  this  county,  he  went 
into  Derbyshire,  where  he  visited  his  friend  John 
Gratton,  at  his  own  house  at  Monyash  ;  from 
which  place  he  went  into  Yorkshire  ;  and,  after 
spending  about  two  weeks  in  that  county,  he  tra- 
velled into  Lancashire  and  W'estmoreland,  having 
a  precious  meeting  at  Arnside,in  the  latter  county. 
From  this  place  he  went  to  Swarthmoie  ;  where^ 

B  b 


290 


tlFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX, 


at  their  meeting  the  next  day,  he  *'  had  a  svvec* 
opportuirity  with  Friends,  their  hearts  being  open* 
ed  m  the  love  of  God,  and  his  blcsiied  life  lloNvinj 


amongst  them.** 


In  the  cour«e  of  his  late  journey,  he  had  writ- 
ten and  published  several  papers  and  epistles  ;  and 
«ow,  settlmg  down  at  Swarthmore  for  a  consider- 
able time,  he  employed  himself  much  in  writing 
epistles  to  his  Friends,  on  various  occasions ;  in 
M'hich  he  manifested  his   fatherly  care  for  them ; 
stirring  them  up  to  love  and  good  works,  and  to 
an  upright  zeal   for  the   promotion  of  truth  and 
lighteousness  upon  the  earth.     Ihe  following  ex- 
tracts from  an  epistle  to  the  yearly  meeting  in 
I679y  v\ill  show  the  excellent  spirit  which  con- 
tinued to  j)ievail,  in  this  devoted  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ :  "  ITie  ^vorld  «exptcts  more  from  Friends 
than  from  other  people,  because  you  profess  more. 
Therefore  you  should  be  more  just  than  others  in 
your  words  and  dealings ;  more  righteous,  holy, 
and   pure   in   your  lives  and    conversations  ;    so 
that  your  lives  and  coij versa tions   may  preach.— 
And,  dear  Friends,  strive  to  excel  one  another  iii 
\irtue,  that  ye  may  grow  in   love,  that  excellent 
wav,  which  unites  all  to  Christ  and  God.     Stand 
up  for  God's  glory,  and  mind  that  which  concerns 
the  Lord's  honour,  that,  in  no  wise,  his  power  may 
be  abused,  nor  his  name  evil  spokeji  of  by  any  evil 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


m 


talkers  or  walkers ;  but  that,  in  all   thinjrs,  God 
may  be  honoured,  and  ye  may  glorify  him  ni  your 
bodies,  souls  and  spirits,  the  little  time  ye  have  ta 
live."     This  instructive  epistle  he  concludes  with 
these  words :  "  My  life  and  love  is  to  you  all,  and 
amoncr  you  all.    The  Lord  God  Almighty,  by  his 
mighty   power,   by   which   he   has  preserved  his 
people  unto  this  day,  preserve  and  keep  you  all  n* 
his  power,  and  peaceable  holy  truth,  in  unity  and 
fellowship  one  with  another,  and  wUh  the  Sott 
and  Father.     Amett.*' 

HavirisC  continued  above  a  year  at  Swarthmore, 
hea^ainl-oundhis  mind  drawn  to  travel  south- 
ward; and  leaving  his  family  and  friends  here  m 
die  1st  month,  1679-80,  he  passed  through  some 
parts  of  Westmoreland  and  Lancashire,  into  York- 
shire ;  and  came  to  the  city  of  York  at  the  time 
of  the  Assizes,  during  Nvhich  the  quarterly  meet- 
ing was  also  held.     Here  he  interested  himself 
and  others  in  the  caiuse  of  their  suffering  Friends, 
now  in   prison  here,  whose  case  was  laid  before 
the  Judges.    He  also  personally  visited  his  Friends 
in  prison,  and  encouraged  them  in  their  trying  si- 
tuation.   The  quarterly  meeting  too  afforded  him 
an  opportunity  of  strengthening  his  Friends,  in  the 
support  of  the  good  cause  which  they  had  espoused, 
and  of  opening  to  them  such  gospel  truths,  as 
might  tend  to   build  them  up  ou  their  most  holy 

B.ba 


292 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


iaith,  and  to  preserve  them  in  their  right  places  in 
the  church  of  Christ.  After  spending  several  days 
in  York,  he  went  through  parts  of  the  counties  of 
Lincoln,  Nottingham,  Derby,  Leicester,  Warwick, 
and  several  others,  to  London ;  w  here  he  was,  as 
usual,  cordially  received  by  his  Friends.  The 
yearly  meeting  being  in  the  following  week,  he 
attended  it  with  many  Friends  from  different  parts 
of  the  nation.  Of  this  meeting  he  says,  "  A  blessed 
opportunity  the  Lord  gave  us  together,  wherein 
the  ancient  love  was  sweetly  felt,  and  the  heavenly 
life  flowed  abundantly  over  all." 

^^  hilst  he  was  in  London,  he  exerted  himself, 
as  at  other  times,  for  the  relief  of  his  suffering 
brethren,  both  in  this  and  other  nations.  He  also 
wrote  letters  to  his  Friends  in  different  parts  of 
the  world  ;  and  soon  after  he  left  London,  whilst 
at  Kingston,  he  wrote  to  "  the  Great  Turk,  and  to 
the  King  of  Algiers,"  warning  them  and  the  people 
under  them,  to  turn  from  their  wickedness  and  to 
fear  the  Lord.  With  the  Algerines  he  particularly 
remonstrated  on  the  cruelty,  which  they  exercised 
towards  their  captives,  among  whom  were  some 
Friends.* 


*  It  may  not  be  improper  here  to  fi:ive  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  Friends,  who  were  prisoners  at  Algiers,  as 
icl.ited  by  Sewell.  «*Novv  concerning  those  Quakers  at 
Algiers,  of  rvhom  mention  hath  been  wade  that  they  were 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


£93 


He  next  visited  his  Friends  in  Surrey  and  Sus- 
sex, and  returned  again  to  London.  After  continu- 
iv^  there  about  ten  days,  he  visited  several  meetings 
in  that  neighbourhood,  as  far  as  Hertford.  At  this 
place  he  met  with  John  Story,  one  of  those  whd 
had  been  a  principal  opposer  of  the  discipline, 
and  in  odier  respects  deviated  from  the  practices 
of  the  society.  Though  several  of  his  party  were 
there,  yet  they  did  not  give  any  disturbance  to  the 
meetings  held  by  George  1^'ox  ;  who  had  good  ser- 
vice, in  explaining  the  benefit  of  men's  and  wo- 
men's  meetings,  one  of  which  he  attended  here.  He 


slaves  ther^,  it  was  a  pretty  long  time  before  opportunity 
was  found  to  redeem  them ;  but  in  the  meanwhile,  they  so 
faithfully  served  their  masters,  that  tliey  were  sulVered  to  go 
louse  through  tlui  towii,  witliout  being  ch;\ined  or  fettered; 
and  liberty  was  also  allowed  them  to  meet  at  set  times,  for 
religious  worshij) ;  nnd  their  patrons  themselves  would  some- 
times come  and  see  what  they  did  there ;  and  finding  u(> 
images  or  prints,  as  Papist  slaves  in  the  exercise  of  tlieir 
woriihip  made  use  of;  but  hearing;  from  their  slaves  that 
they  reverently  adored  and    worshipped    the   living   God, 
Creator  of  heaven  and  earth,  they  commended  them  for  it ; 
and  said  it  was  very  good,  ami  that  they  might  freely  do  so. 
And  since  one  of  them  was  raised  to  speak  by  way  of  edifi- 
cation to  his  Friend>,  some  other  English  slaves  frequenting 
that  meeting,  came  to  be  united  with  them.     In  the  meaur 
while,  the  name  Quakers  came  to  be  known  at  Algiers,  as 
a  people  that  might  be  trusted  beyond  others."   See  SoweU> 
History  of  the  Quakers,  page  96,  8vo.  edilion^  1735. 

r,  h  Cr 


294 


^ITE  OF  GEORGE  TOX 


had  also  a  conference  with  the  disaffected,  amongst 
%vhom  he  laboured,  endeavouring  to  show  them  the 
errors  into  which  they  were  fallen.  In  the  course 
of  this  journey,  he  mentions  having  visited  two 
Friends'  schools,  one  at  Edmonton,  kept  by  Chris- 
topher Taylor,  and  the  other  a  girls*  school  at 
Shacklewell.  Of  these  schools  it  appears  he  had 
been  a  great  promoter,  and  he  now  seems  to  have 
ielt  an  interest  in  their  right  support. 

Returning  to  London,  he  continued  there  during 
the  winter,  labouring  various  ways  for  the  benefit 
of  the  society,  and  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of 
truth.  Here,  and  in  the  neighbourhood  he  re- 
mained till  the  yearly  meeting  of  1 68 1 ,  of  which 
he   says ;    "  It   was  a  very  precious  meeting. 


m 


which  the  glorious  presence  and  power   of  the 
Lord  was  eminently  felt  aud  enjoyed.'* 


About  this  time  George,  and  his  wife  who  \\ns 
now  with  him  m  London,  were  under  a  prosecu- 
tion for  tithes  on  the  Swarthmore  estate.  The 
legality  of  the  dgjoaand,  as  well  as  their  conscien- 
tious  principles,  were  involved  in  the  question ;  and 
many  endeavours  were  used  to  prevent  the  success 
of  the  claimant,  particularly  by  personal  applica- 
tions to  the  Judges ;  but  a  sequestration  was  granted 
by  the  Court  of  Exchequer,  accompanied,  how- 
ever, by  a  limitation  which  prevented  the  plain- 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


S95' 


tiff  from  taking  more  than  was  proved ;  by  which 
he  was  much  disappointed.  In  the  course  of  this 
business,  the  Judges  were  much  surprized  to  find, 
that  George  Fox  had  legally  bound  himself  from 
meddling  with  his  wife's  estate;  an  instance  of 
disinterestedness,  to  which  they  found  it  difficult 
to  give  credit,  till  the  deeds  were  shown  to  them. 

He  abode  in  London  about  a  month  after  the 
yearly  meeting,  and  then  visited  Friends  m  Sussex, 
among  whom  he  had  many  large  and  precious 
meetings.  He  did  not  continue  long  in  this 
county,  but  soon  returned  to  London.  After 
tarrying  awhile  there,  he  visited  his  Friends  in 
some  parts  of  Bucks,  Berks,  and  Oxon,  again  re- 
turning to  London ;  which  city  and  its  neighbour- 
hood, from  this  time,  became  his  principal  residence, 
during  the  remaining  part  of  his  life.  He  how- 
ever sometimes  visited  his  Friends  in  the  neigh- 
bouring counties;  and  in  the  year  1684  he  paid  a 
second  visit  to  Friends  and  others  in  Holland. 

In  this  journey,  he  was  accompanied  from  Lon- 
don by  Alexander  Parker,  George  Watts,  and 
Nathaniel  Biassey,  who  were  also  under  a  reli- 
gious engagement  to  visit  Friends  in  those  parts. 
They  left  that  city  on  the  3 1  st  of  3d  month ;  and  the 
same  day  they  reached  Colchester  in  a  coach,  where 
they  attended  the  meeting  on  the  day  following  ; 
being  tlie  first  of  the  week.    The  report  of  George 


^6 


CTFE  OF  GEOUGE  F05t. 


Fox  being  there  had  spread  much,  both  in  Col- 
chester and  its  neighbourhood,  which  occasioned 
a  very  large  meeting  ;  so  that  apprehensions  were 
entertained  lest  the  Magistrates  should  be  alarmed 
and  endeavour  to  break  it  up ;  but  no  attempt  of 
this  kind  w  as  made ;  and  a  very  satisfactory  meet- 
ing it  proved.  "  Truly,"  he  obsei-ves,  "  the  Lord's 
power  and  presence  were  beyond  words,  for  I  was 
but  weak,  and  my  face  by  reason  of  a  cold  was 
sore;  but  God  manifested  his  strength  in  us  and 
with  us,  and  all  was  well.  The  Lord  have  the 
fflory  for  evermore  for  his  supporting  power." 

Having  spent  two  days  more  in  Colcliester,  re- 
ceiving and  visiting  his  Friends,  he  and  his  com- 
panions left  that  town  ;  and  on  their  arrival  at 
Harwich,  met  with  William  Bingley  and  Samuel 
Waldenheld.  From  this  place  they  sailed  for 
Holland,  and  landed  at  the  Briel,  after  a  fine  pas- 
sage of  about  sixteen  hours.  From  the  Briel  they 
proceeded  to  Rotterdam,  where  they  attended  the. 
meeting  on  First  Day ;  and^  whilst  here,  had  some 
religious  conferences  with  persons  of  note  in  the 
place.  The  next  day  they  went  to  Amsterdam, 
where  they  attended  the  meetings  of  their  Friends. 
The  yearly  meeting  established  here  for  the  society^ 
in  Holland  and  Germany,  was  at  this  time  held. 
This  afforded  a  good  opportunity  of  seeing  their 
Friends  in  these  countries  ;  and  a  refreshing  time 
they  had  together,  io  the  love  of  God.     Heic  tha 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


2Q7 


strangers  from  England  separated,  according  to 
their  several  concerns  ;  George  Fox,  with  Alexan- 
der Parker  and  George  Watts,  remaining  a  few 
days  at  Amsterdam.  Among  other  religious  en- 
gagements, they  visited  Galenus  Abrahams,  whom 
George  had  seen  when  in  that  country  before. 
He  was  an  eminent  preacher  among  the  Meno- 
nists  or  Baptists,  and  had  formerly  manifested  a 
dislike  to  George  Fox,  with  a  degree  of  fear,  bid*- 
ding  him  to  keep  his  eyes  from  him,  because  they 
pierced  him ;  but  this  disposition  seems  to  have 
been  removed,  and  he  was  now  very  loving,  and  in 
some  degree  confessed  to  the  truth  of  what  was 
said  to  him.  His  wife  and  daughter  were  also 
kind,  and  .they  parted  in  much  love.  ' 

From  Amsterdam,  George  and  his  companions, 
to  whom  John  Glaus  was  added  as  an  interpreter, 
departed  for  Friesland,  in  which  country  they  tra- 
velled about  a  week,  visiting  Friends  and  others; 
and  mostly  holding  one  or  two  meetings  daily. 
They  went  as  far  as  Harlingen,  in  West  Friesland; 
from  which  place  they  returned  by  sea  to  Amster- 
dam; where,  on  the  following  first  day,  they  at- 
tended the  meeting,  "  which  was  very  large  and 
precious."  Many  persons  of  all  ranks  were  thertf, 
and  were  very  attentive  to  the  gospel  truths  deli- 
vered amongst  them.  After  spending  about  two 
w  eeks  here,  and  making  excursions  into  the  country, 
particularly  to  Osauoverton,  Landsmeer,  Sardam, 


«99 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  P03J. 


and  Alkmaer,  they  took  an  affectionate  leave  of 
their  Friends  in  Amsterdam,  and  went  to  Harlem; 
where  they  had  a  very  satisfactory  meeting  at  the 
house  of  Abraham  Frondenberg,  a  Friend  of  that 
place.     The  next  day  they  departed  for  Rotter- 
dam, where  they  had  two  meetings ;  and  on  the 
15th  of  5th  month  went  to  the  Briel,  where  they 
took   shipping    for    England.      After   a   tedious 
voyage,  they  arrived  safe  at  Harwich;  from  which 
place   they   went   by   Colchester,   Witham,   and 
Harestreet,  towards  London ;  but  George  being 
much  enfeebled  by  travelling  and  other  exercises, 
staid  at  his  son-in-law,  William  Mead's,  at  Gooses, 
near  Harestreet,  and  rested  there  several  weeks;, 
so  that  it  was  not  till  the  latter  end  of  summer, 
that  he  reached  London. 


After  this  journey,  he  ceased  from  much  travel- 
ling, his  principal  residence  continuing  in  London; 
and  its  neighbourhood.  But  though  his  body  was- 
thus  circumscribed,  his  enlarged  mind  was  still 
active;  and  he  employed  his  time  in  writing  many 
Papers  and  Epistles  to  Friends  and  others  in  dis- 
tant parts ;  in  attending  to  the  sufferings  of  his  per- 
secuted brelhreii,  and  in  visiting  the  sick ;  besides 
being  engaged  in  his  public  gospel  labours  in  reli- 
gious mteungs. 


CHAP.  XXL 

1 68 5  to  \6^0^Vrites  an  Epistle  to  F/iends  on  Account 
of  Comtnotions  in  the  Nation — Account  of  his  Gift  of 
Land  and  Mccting-House  at  Swarthmore  —  Resides 
principally  al)&ut  London — An  Epistle  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting  at  York — Increasing  Infirmities — His  Death 
dind  Burial, 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  reign  of 
Charles  the  Second,  the  nation  was  much  agitated 
with  popular  disaffection ;  on  which  account  George 
Fox  became  exercised  for  his  Frieuds,lestthey  should 
be  drawn  into  the  spirit  of  contending  parties,  and 
neglect  an  attention  to  their  own  religious -du ties- 
On  this  account  he  was  concerned  to  write  them 
an  Epistle,  "  To  caution  all  to  keep  out  of  the 
spirit  of  the  world;  in  which  trouble  is,  and  to 
dwell  in  the  peaceable  truth.''  From  this  Epistle 
it  may  not  he  improper  to  give  the  following  ex- 
tract : 


"  Dear  Friends  and  Brethren,  whatever  bust- 
lings and  trouble,  tumults  or  outrages,  quarrels  or 
strife,  arise  in  the  world,  koep  out  of  diem  all. 
Concern  not  yourselves  with  them ;  but  keep  in 
the  Lord's  power  and  peaceable  truth,  that  is  ov<jr 
all  such  things;  in  which  power  ye  seek  the  peac# 
and  good  of  all  men.     Live  in  the  love  which 


300 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


God  hath  shed  abroad  in  your  hearts,  through 
Christ  Jesus;  in  which  love  nothing  is  able  to 
separate  you  from  God  and  Chri§t;  neither  out- 
ward sufferings,  persecutions,  nor  any  tiling  that  is 
below  and  without ;  nor  to  hinder  or  break  your 
heavenly  fellowship  in  the  light,  gospel,  and  Spirit 
of  Christ ;  nor  your  holy  communion  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  that  proceeds  from  the  Father  and  the 
Son,  which  leads  into  all  truth." 


4 


This  Epistle  is  dated  at  London,  the  11  th  of 
4th  month,  1685;  and  in  the  year  l688,  about  the 
time  of  the  Revolution,  he  wrote  another  of  a 
similar  tendency.     Thus  did  this  faithful  overseer 
watch  over  and  encourage  the  flock,  being  on  all 
occasions  ready,  both  by  word  and  deed,  to  minis- 
ter to  their  wants;  to  extricate  them  from  their 
difficulties  ;  to  guard  them  against  all  snares;  and 
to   warn   them   of  the  approach  of  that  enemy, 
which  goes  about,  either  as  a  roaring  lion,  seeking 
whom  he  may  devour,  or  as  a  cunning  serpent 
endeavouring  to  deceive  and  to  betray.     In  such 
services  as  these  did  he  employ  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  adding  to  them  acts  of  liberality  both  of 
a  private  and  public  nature..     Of  this  trait  of  his 
conduct  it  may  be  proper  to  relate  some  circum- 
stances, respecting  a  meeting-house  at  Swarlh- 
more;  which  was  provided  at  his  expense,  and 
w  ith  the  ground  on  which  it  stood,  and  some  other 


UFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


301 


adjoining,  was  given  by  him  to  the  Society.  It 
will  doubtless  be  most  acceptable  and  interesting 
to  die  reader,  to  be  presented  with  some  copious 
extracts  from  the  papers  which  he  wrote  on  this 
occasion  ;  as  they  tend  to  exhibit  his  character  in 
various  points  of  view,  in  a  very  striking  manner. 

"  George  Fox's  declared  intention  and  motion 
for  his  giving  up  Petty *s  house  and  land  for  ever, 
for  the  service  of  the  Lord  and  the  people  called 
Quakers," 

"  The  eternal  God,  who  hath  in  an^  by  his 
eternal  powerful  arm,  preserved  me  through  all 
my  troubles,  trials,  temptations,  and  afflictions; 
persecutions,  reproaches,  and  imprisonments ;  and 
carried  me  over  them  all,  hath  sanctified  all  these 
things  to  me,  so  that  I  can  say,  all  things  work 
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God^  and  are 
beloved  of  him." 

"  And  the  Lord  God  of  the  whole  heaven  and 
earth,  and  all  things  therein,  both  natural  and 
spiritual,  he  hath  been,  by  his  eternal  arm  and 
power,  my  preserver,  and  upholder,  and  keeper, 
and  hath  taken  care  and  provided  for  me,  botii  for 
temporals  and  spirituals,  so  that  I  never  did  want ; 
and  have  been  content  and  thankful  with  what  the 
Lord  did  provide  for  me.** 

^^  And  now  the  Lord  hath  done  so  much  good 
to  me,  and  to  his  na.me,  truth,  and  people,  to  whom 

c  c 


*■* 


sot 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


LIFE  OF  «EOR€E  FOX. 


503 


I  have  offered  up  jny  spirit,  soul,  and  body,  which 
are  the  Lord's,  made  and  created  for  his  glory. 
And  also  I  do  ofi'er  and  give  up  freely  to  the 
Loid  for  ever,  and  for  the  service  of  his  sons, 
daughters,  and  servants,  called  Quakers,  the  house 
and  houses,  barn,  kiln,  stable,  and  all  the  land, 
xvith  the  garden  and  orchard,  being  about  three 
acres  of  land,  more  or  less ;  with  the  commonings, 
peats,  turlings,  moss,  and  whatsoever  other  privi- 
leges that  belong  to  it,  called  Swarthmoor,  in  the 
parish  of  Ulverstone." 

"  And  also  my  ebony  bedstead,  with  the  painted 
curtains,  and  the  great  elbow  chair  that  Robert 
Widders  sent  me;  and  my  great  sea  case  or  cel- 
lai  idge,  with  th^  bottles  in  it.  These  I  do  give  to 
stand  in  the  house  as  heirlooms,  when  the  house 
is  made  use  of  for  a  meeting  place;  so  that  a 
Triend  may  have  a  bed  to  lie  on,  and  a  chair  to  sit 
iu,  and  a  bottle  to  hold  a  little  water  to  drink." 

**  It  being  free  land,  and  free  from  all  tithe,  both 
great  and  small ;  and  all  this  I  do  freely  give  up 
to  the  Lord,  and  for  the  Lord's  service  and  his 
people's,  to  make  it  a  meeting  place  of." 

"  It  is  all  the  land  and  house  I  have  in  Eng- 
land, and  it  is  given  up  to  the  Lord ;  for  it  is  for 
his  service,  and  for  his  cliildren's." 

GEORGE  FOX. 


"  I  do  and  have  given  up  Potty's,  which  I 
bought  of  the  children  Susannah  Fell  and  Rachel 
Fell  for  seventy-two  pounds;  for  God's  people  lo 
meet  in,  when  they  do  not  meet  at  Swarlh- 
nioor  Hall ;  and  let  the  rest  of  the  ground  and 
malt  house  maintain  the  meeting  house,  which  may 
be  made  fit,  either  the  barn  or  the  house,  as  the 
Lord  shall  let  Friends  see  vvliich  is  best ;  and  to 
slate  it,  and  pave  the  way  to  it,  that  so  Friends 
mav  <'o  dry  to  their  meeting.  And  let  or  set  part 
of  the  house  and  land  to  maintain  itself  for  ever 
for  the  Lord's  service.  And  you  may  let  any  poor 
honest  Friend  live  in  part  of  the  house.  And  so 
let  it  be  for  the  Lord's  service  to  the  end  of  the 
world ;  and  for  his  people  to  meet  in,  to  keep  them 
from  the  winter-cold,  and  the  wet,  and  the  sum- 
mer-heat.*' 

The  foregoing  extracts  are  from  papers  dated 
at  Kingston-upon-Tliames,  the  13th  of  12th  month, 
and  the  22d  of  1st  month,  IfiBf)-?,  which  appear 
to  have  been  sent  to  Thomas  Lower,  who  lived  at 
Marsh  Grange,  in  Lancashire,  accompanied  with 
a  letter  which  also  enters  into  many  minutiaj,  re- 
specting the  proposed  meeting  house ;  and,  I  ap- 
prehend, the  insertion  of  the  principal  past  of  it, 
will  also  be  acceptable. 

c  c  S 


.5041 


ilFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


"  Gooses,  the  aSthqfQd  Monih,  1^87. 
^'  DsAR  Thomas, 

"  Willi  my  love  to  thee  and  thy  wife,  with 
thy  mother,  and  brother,  and  sister,  at  Swarthmoor, 
and  thy  children,  and  the  rest  of  Friends  in  the 
holy  seed  of  life,  that  reigns  over  all.  Deai> 
Thomas,  I  have  sent  thee  a  copy  of  my  mind  con- 
cerning Petty's,  which  thou  mayst  privately  show 
to  thy  mother,  and  the  list  of  the  names ;  which  you 
that  live  in  the  country,  you  may  know  which  of 
these  are  the  fittest  to  put  into  the  deed  of  trust. 
Chuse  out  first  four  of  the  most  faithful  and  sub- 
stantial Friends  in  this  list,  or  other  that  you  may 
approve  of,  to  join  you  four  brothers,  unto  whom 
the  first  deed  of  trust  is  to  be  made ;  and  then  you. 
eight  are  to  make  it  over  by  a  deed  of  uses,  to  ten 
or  twelve  Friends  more,  which  you  may  consider, 
who  are  fit  to  put  into  that  second  deed.  So  the 
four  names  that  is  to  be  joined  with  you,  thou  must 
send  up,  as  shortly  as  thou  can,  that  so  the  deed 
may  be  confirmed  as  soon  as  may  be." 

"  This  will  be  a  confirmation  of  what  has  all 
along  been  in  thy  mother's  mind ;  that  the  meeting 
w  ill  be  continued  at  Swarthmoor.  And  as  concern- 
ing the  ten  or  twelve  Friends  more,  unto  which  you 
are  to  make  a  deed  of  uses,  the  names  of  them 
may  be  considered  on  afterwards,  when  this  is 
done.      And  as   concerning   the   meeting   place 


tfFE  OP  GEORGE  ro:!<r. 


505 


Itself,  whether  the  barn  or  the  house,  I  shall  leave 
it  to  you.  But  if  the  barn  will  do  better ;  if  you  could 
make  it  wider,  may  be  it  may  be  better,  because 
there  will  be  the  house  to  go  into,  and  the  grouud 
may  be  so  raised,  that  you  may  go  up  a  step  or 
two  into  the  meeting-house;  and  it  will  be  more 
wholesome.  And  the  yards  are  low,  which  may 
be  raised  and  laid  dry ;  and  you  have  stones  enough, 
and  poor  men  to  get  them.  And  I  would  have 
all  the  thatch  pulled  off  all  the  houses,  and  laid  in 
a  heap  to  rot  for  manure  to  be  laid  upon  the 
•lose;  and  let  all  the  houses  be  slated,  and  the 
walls  about  it  to  be  made  »ul)8tautial  to  stand,  and 
kid  in  lime  and  sand." 

"  And  I  would  have  a  porch  made  to  the  meet" 
ing  place,  of  the  Common  side,  into  the  yard ;  and 
with  rubbish  and  earth  a*  before,  you  may  raise 
the  yard  and*  the  floors.  And  I  would  have  the 
meeting  place  large,  for  truth  may  increase.  The 
barn  made  as  wide  again,  which  you  may  do  with 
pillars,  or  otherwise,  which  I  leave  to  thee  and  the 
workmen;  and  I  would  have  thee  take  Robert 
Barrow's  advice  in  it.  If  you  think  fit  to  have  the 
kiln  continued,  you  may  fit  it  up,  if  it  be  worth 
the  charge  of  doing.  But  these  things  I  nuist 
leave  to  you."  ' 

"  I  would  have  it  gone  about,   and  prepare 
iLiogs^  beforehand  as  soon  as  you  can;  when  you^ 

c  Q  3 


1 


30G 


LIFE    OF   GEOEGE   FOX. 


have  viewed  it,  and  see  what  you  will  want ;  either 
lime,  sand,  wood,  or  stone.  And  I  would  have 
Robert  Barrow  to  do  it,  if  he  can.  And  I  would 
have,  next  winter,  an  orchard  planted  when  you 
see  fit ;  you  may  get  some  trees  to  set  in  it  where 
thou  sees  fit ;  and  I  would  have  some  trees  set 
about  the  close,  and  if  thou  will  set  some  of  thy 
fir  trees  there  thou  may.  And  when  all  is  done 
and  fitted  compleatly  for  the  Lord's  service  and 
his  people's,  let  it  stand  till  there  be  occasion  for 
it ;  and  I  desire  thee  to  be  very  careful  in  this 
tiling,  and  let  it  be  done  as  soon  as  may  be ;  for  it 
is  not  for  myself,  but  for  the  service  of  the  Lord 
and  his  people,  and  let  it  be  done  substantially." 

'*  And  as  for  the  affairs  of  truth,  in  the  general, 
things  are  pretty  well,  and  meetings  are  quiet 
Ijoth  in  England  and  beyond  the  seas.  And  the 
Lord  keep  his  people  in  his  fear  and  in  humility, 
in  this  time  of  liberty,  that  they  do  not  forget 
him ;  for  there  is  danger  in  a  time  of  liberty,  as  in 
a  time  of  sufferhig,  for  that  to  get  up  which  will 
not  stand  faithful ;  but  my  desire  is,  that  all  may 
walk  worthy  of  the  Lord's  mercies*  So  no  more, 
witli  my  love  to  youJ*  "  G.  F." 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  it  may  be  accep- 
table to  have  the  following  extract  from  a  lettelr 
to  Thomas  Lower,  when  he  sent  him  a  copy  of 
th^  feoffment  deed»    In  this  ktter^  after  giving 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX, 


SO-? 


directions  about  the  deed  and  other  writings  re- 
latin""  to  this  business,  that  they  should  be  tran- 
scribed  and  entered  in  proper  books,  he  gives  the 
following  additional  directions  about  proceeding 
in  the  work. 

"  And  you  may  mind  to  buy  all  the  things  at 
the  best  hand,  beforehand,  to  be  ready.  And  I 
am  in  the  same  mind  still,  not  to  put  any  Friend 
to  a  farthing  charge.  But  if  Friends  of  the  meet- 
ing or  thereaway  will  come  with  their  carts,  and 
help  to  fetch  stone,  lime,  wood,  sand,  or  slate,  I 
shall  take  it  kindly;  or  to  get  stone  off  the  com- 
mon, if  need  be;  and  you  may  speak  to  Joseph 
Sharp,  for  he  is  a  willing  man,  to  help  in  any 
tiling" 

"  And  the  twenty  pounds  of  J.  R.'s,  which  yott 
are  to  receive,  I  have  and  do  order  it  for  that  ser- 
vice :  and  the  fifteen  pounds  thou  hast  in  thy  hands 
of  Jane  and  Robert  Widders,  1  order  for  that  ser- 
vice and  for  the  building, ;  and  the  five  pounds 
Susannah  brought  up  I  took  of  her,  and  what 
more  ye  do  want,  when  it  is  wanted  let  me  know. 
And  so  dear  Thomas,  with  my  love  to  thee  and 
all  the  rest  of  Friends,  in  the  holy  and  peaceable 
truth,  that  is  stronger  than  all  they  that  be  out  of 
it.     And  God  Almighty  keep  you  in  it^  and  in  the 

©Fder  of  it.    Amen*" 

«  G.  F' 


305 


3LTFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


LIFE     OF  GEORGE    FOX. 


309 


Among  the  various  means  of  developing  liuman 
characteiS;  private  letters  form  an  important  and 
interesting  part.  This  is  particularly  the  case 
with  respect  to  those  men,  who  may  be  considered 
as  public  characters,  in  whatever  line  that  publi- 
city may  have  been  obtained.  Those  who  live  in 
succeeding  generations,  have  seldom  an  oppor- 
tunity of  contemplating  such  persons,  but  in  that 
public  capacity  in  which  they  have  principally 
acted.  It  seemed  therefore  desirable  to  bring  the 
more  private  parts  of  George  Fox's  character 
into  view,  by  these  extracts ;  for  though  the  business 
to  which  they  relate,  may  be  considered  rather  of  a 
public  nature,  yet  it  has  afforded  an  opportunity 
of  estimating  his  private  virtues ;  and  that  in  a  man- 
ner, which  cannot  fail  of  niaking  a  favourable  im- 
pression on  the  mind  of  every  reader.  The  liberality 
©f  the  gift,  and  the  expressions  of  grateful  piety  with 
which  it  is  accompanied,  afford  a  pleasing  idea  of 
the  donor ;  and  when,  to  these  considerations,  are 
added  the  humility  and  deference  with  which  he 
refers  many  matters  to  his  children  and  friends,  I 
cannot  but  contemplate  this  part  with  admiration 
and  pleasure.  He  had  now  been,  nearly  forty 
years,  an  eminent  member  of  a  society,  which  he 
had  been  allowed  to  be  the  prmcipai  means  of 
•stablishing ;  yet  we  see  nothing  id.  his  conduct 
like  lording  over  God V  heritage;  Though  he 
atood^  in  the  authority  of  truth  over  and  against 


every  thing  that  would  lay  this  heritage  waste ;  yet, 
from  various  circumstances,  as  well  as  from  these 
documents,  he  appears  to  have  been  preserved  in 
much  humility  and  love  ;  and  jby  these  means,  to 
have  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his  brethren  in 
religious  profession  and  gospel  labour ;  as  will  in 
the  sequel  more  fully  appear.  It  is  worthy  of 
observation,  that  he  takes  no  notice  of  this  busi-> 
ness  in  his  own  memoirs,  though  they  are  brought 
down  to  a  later  period  of  time. 

During  his  residence  about  London,  he  spent 
much  of  his  time  at  the  houses  of  his  sons  in  law, 
William  Mead  and  John  Rouse.  The  former 
lived  at  Gooses,  a  few  miles  from  Romford  in 
Essex  ;  the  latter  at  or  near  Kingston  upon 
Thames.  He  also  frequently  visited  other  Friends 
at  their  houses  in  the  country,  finding  that  the  air 
of  London  and  his  exercises  there,  did  not  suit  his 
enfeebled  constitution.  In  the  year  1CJ88  he  was 
scarcely  able  to  sit  during  the  whole  time  of  a 
meeting  ;  and  generally  obliged  to  lie  down  when 
it  was  finished  ;  but  he  still  continued  diligent  in 
labouring,  both  "  in  and  out  of  meetings  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  as  He  gave  opportunity  and 
ability."  In  the  year  1689  he  attended  the  yearly 
meeting  in  London,  as  he  had  done  for  several 
years  past,  with  satisfaction  :  and  this  yeat  ad- 
dressed an  epistle  to  the  yearly  meeting  at  York, 


\ 
\ 

fclFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


311 


SIO 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FO^. 


which,  he  says,  "  because  of  the  largeness  of  that 
county,  and  for  the  conveniency  of  Friends  in  the 
northern  parts,  had  for  some  years  been  held 
there/'  This  epistle  appears  to  have  been  occa- 
sioned by  some  dissensions  which  had  taken  place 
among  Friends  in  that  county.  Because  of  its 
brevity,  instruction,  and  sweetness,  and  its  showing 
how  love,  now  near  the  close  of  a  laborious  and 
suffering  life,  seemed  to  predominate  in  his 
mind,  it  may  be  acceptable  to  give  the  whole  of  it 
a  place  here. 

'*  Dear  Friends  and  Brethren  in  Christ  JesUs, 

"  Whom  the  Lord  by  his  eternal  arm  and 
power,  hath  preserved  to  this  day,  all  walk  in  the 
power  and  spirit  of  God,  that  is  over  all  in  love 
and  unity  ;    for  love  overcomes,  builds  up,  and 
unites  all  the  members  of  Christ  to  him  the  head. 
Love  keeps  out  all  stiife,  and  is  of  God.     Love 
or  charity  never  fails  ;  but  keeps  the  mind  above 
all  outward  things,  ai^  strife  about  outward  things. 
It  overcomes  evil,  and  casts  out  all  false  fears.    It 
is  of  God,  and  unites  the  hearts  of  all  his  people 
together,  in  the  heavenly  joy,  concord,  and  unity. 
The  God  of  love  preserve  you  all,  and  establish 
you  in   Christ  Jesus,  your  life  and  salvation ;  in 
whom  ye  have  all   peace  with  God.     So  walk  la 
bini,  that  ye  may  be  ordered  in  his  peaceable,  bea* 


venly  wisdom,  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  com- 
iort  one  of  another.     Amen." 

''  G.  F.'' 

*f  London,  the  27th  of  the  5d  month,  l6S9*" 

Tlie  winter  of  1689  he  spent  at  Gooses,  an<! 
was  sometimes  able  to  attend  the  meeting  to 
which  William  Mead  belonged,  which  was  about 
half  a  mile  distant  from  his  house  ;  but  as  he  was 
not  always  able  to  do  this,  he  frequently  held 
meetings  in  the  house,  with  the  family,  and  with 
those  who  came  to  visit  him  ;  still  feeling  the  be- 
nefit of  frequent  waiting  upon  God,  and  the  duty 
of  worshipping  him  in  as  public  a  maimer  as  his 
bodily  health  would  permit.  He  continued  at 
Gooses  till  the  2d  montli,  1690,  when  he  returned 
to  London,  and  after  paying  a  short  visit  to  his 
Friends  at  Kingston,  came  again  to  the  city, 
where  he  continued  till  the  yearly  meeting  in  the 
fourth  month,  of  which  he  gives  this  account.— 
**  The  wonted  goodness  of  the  Lord  was  witness- 
ed, his  blessed  presence  enjoyed,  and  his  heavenly 
power  livingly  felt,  opening  the  hearts  of  his 
people  unto  him,  and  his  divine  treasures  of  life 
and  wisdom  unto  them  ;  whereby  many  useful  and 
necessary  things,  relating  to  the  safety  of  Friends, 
and  to  the  honour  and  prosperity  of  truth,  were 
M'cightily  treated  of,  and  unanimously  concluded." 


S12 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


After  this  yearly  meeting,  he  continued  in  Lon- 
don nearly  a  month,  and  then  went  into  the  couu- 
tr)',  as  far  as  Hertford  and  Ware,  visiting  hiji 
Friends  ar  Tottenham,  Ford  Green,  Eutield, 
Cheshunt,  Waltham  Abbey,  and  Winchmore  Hill. 
At  Hertford  he  had  a  meeting  with  the  ancient 
Friends  of  that  place,  to  whom  he  imparted  suit- 
able advice ;  and  returned  by  Ware,  and  other 
places  already  mentioned,  to  London,  in  ihe  latter 
part  of  the  seventh  month  ;  where,  except  one 
excursion  into  the  neighbouring  country,  he  con- 
tinued till  his  decease,  being  almost  daily  with 
Friends  at  their  meetings,  and  writing  epistles  on 
different  occasions.  The  last  of  these  is  addressed 
to  Friends  in  Ireland,  uho  were,  at  that  time,  un- 
der great  sufferings,  from  the  intestine  commotions 
m  that  nation.  This  affectionate  and  encouraging 
epistle  is  dated  the  10th  of  llth  month,  I69O. 
The  following  day  being  the  first  of  the  week,  he 
attended  the  meeting  at  Gracechurch street;  where 
he  was  publicly  exercised  in  his  ministerial  gift, 
both  in  testimony  and  supplication,  with  great 
power  and  clearness. 


When  this  meeting  w^as  concluded,  he  retired  to 
the  house  of  Henry  Gouldney,  in  Whitehart 
Court,  when  he  informed  some  Friends  who  ac- 
companied him,  that  he  felt  the  cold  strike  to  his 
heart  as  he  came  out  of  meeting  ;  but  added;  ^'1 


y 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOK. 


31S 


am  glad  I  was  here ;  now  I  am  clear,  I  am  fully 
clear."  After  this  he  lay  down,  but  feeling  the 
sense  of  cold  continue,  was  put  into  bed ;  where, 
increasing  in  weakness,  he  continued  with  much 
peace  and  resignation,  till  his  death,  which  took 
place  after  two  days  confinement.  In  the  interval 
his  mind  was  much  engaged  on  subjects,  which  had, 
during  a  long  exercising  life,  occupied  his  prin- 
cipal attention.  That  active  spirit  which  had 
been  indefatigably  engaged  in  the  universal  love  of 
God,  to  make  known  his  truth  and  righteous- 
ness among  tlie  nations  of  the  earth,  was  still  alive 
to  the  promotion  of  this  glorious  cause.  This  wa« 
evinced  by  the  directions  which  he  gave  at  this 
awful  crisis,  respecting  the  distiibution  of  books, 
calculated  to  promote  the  great  ends  for  which  he 
had  personally  laboured.  Tlie  triumphant  state  of 
his  mind  over  all  his  bodily  weakness,  wa.s  mani- 
fested by  the  following  expressions  to  some 
Friends  who  visited  him :  "  All  is  well ;  tlie  Seed* 

♦  Tlie  Word,  or  the  Power  of  Go3,  is  called  an  incor' 
niptible  seed,  1  Pet.  i.  23 ;  and  by  the  term  "  Seed,*' 
George  Fox,  and  otlier  religious  writers,  frtquently,  and 
very  emphatically  allude  to  this  div.ne  influence.  Cruden, 
under  the  head  "Seed,"  thus  explains  the  term:  "The 
Word  is  called  an  incorruptible  seed,  because,  continuing 
still  the  same,  and  being  immutable  in  itself,  it  changes  and 
renews  the  hearts  of  tliose  who  by  faith  receive  it."— 
*'  Hence  it  is  said,  1  John  iii.  9,  Whosoever  is  born  of  God 
ilutli  not  couunit  sia;  for  his  Seed  remaineth  in  him.^' 

»d 


5U 


LIFE    OF  GEORGE   FOX. 


of  God  reigns  over  all,  and  over  death  itself;  and 
though  1  ain  weak  in  body,  yet  the  power  of  God 
is  over  all ;  and  the  Seed  reigns  over  all  disorderly 
spirits."  About  four  or  five  hours  before  his 
death,  some  of  his  Friends  inquired  how  he  found 
himself,  to  whom  he  replied  with  tliat  fortitude 
and  indifference  to  bodily  suiferings,  which  remark- 
iibly  distinguished  his  character ;  "  Never  heed, 
the  Lord's  power  is  over  all  weakness  and  death ; 
the  Seed  reigns,  blessed  be  the  Lord."  Such  was 
the  composure  which  attended  hnn  at  this  solemn 
season,  that  he  closed  his  own  eyes  aiid  mouth  at 
the  time  wlieo  life  was  expiring. 

In  this  state  of  mind,  his  spirit  quitted  its  earthly 
tabernacle,  on  thnd  day,  the  loth  of  the  11th 
month,  lG[)Of  between  the  hours  of  nine  and  ten 
at  night ;  he  being  then  in  ihe  G7th  year  ot  his  age. 
At  his  close,  he  was  surrounded  by  many  of  his 
son owtul  Friends;  who,  it  appears  from  various 
accounts,  and  particularly  from  letters  written  on 
the  occasion,  were  deeply  affected  with  tlie  loss  of 
one  whom  they  so  highly  esteemed  and  revered. 


\ 

LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


3W 


others.*  Here,  as  well  as  at  the  meeting  house,. 
BKiiiy  public  testimonies  were  given  forth  to  the 
efficacy  of  that  (hvine  power,  which  had  qualified 
tilt  ir  departed  Friend,  for  the  important  services  to 
which  he  had  been  called;  and  to  the  faithful 
labours,  patient  sufferhigs,  and  exem})lary  conduct^ 
with  which  he  had  adorned  the  gospel  of  God  our 
Saviotir* 

♦William  Penn,  io  a  letter  which  he  wrote  on  this  occa* 
sion,  calculates  lh«  aumber  of  Friends  and  others  at  two  thou- 
sand ;  but  Robert  Barrow  states  the  number  much  higher* 
lie  also  mentions  the Friecds  who  were  publicly  engaged  at 
the  meeting  house  and  burial  ground,  in  the  order  in  which 
they  spake,,  viz.  At  the  meeting  house,  James  Park,  Robert 
Barrow,  Ambrose  Rigge,  Jasper  Batt,  William  Penn,  Fran- 
cis Carafield,  Stephen  Crisp,  John  Taylor  of  York,  Francis 
Stamper,  and  George  Whiteliead  ;  Thomas  Green  was  after- 
wards engaged  iu  prayer.  Notwithstanding  the  number  of 
preachers,  it  appears  the  meeting  lasted  only  about  two 
hours.  Those  who  preached  at  the  grave  side,  were  William 
Penn,  Jasper  Batt,  George  Whitehead,  John  Vaughton,  and 
William  Biugley. 


it 


The  interment  took  place  three  days  after  his  de- 
cease,  on  which  occasion  a  very  large  and  solemn 
meeting  was  held  at  Gracechurch  street ;  after 
which  the  corpse  was  conveyed  to  IBunhill  Field«, 
accompanied  by  several  thousands  of  Friends  and 


Dd2 


CHAP.  XXII. 


4ccouni  <ifhi«  Ptopuiyj'^HU  ChatacUr, 

JHlAVING  now  terminated  the  account  of  tlie 
life  and  death  of  this  devoted  labourer  in  the 
Lord's  vineyard,  it  remains  to  say  something  re- 
specting his  character,  both  in  a  private  and  puUic 
capacity.  But  before  I  enter  upon  this  part  of 
my  work,  it  may  be  proper  to  give  some  idea  of 
the  property  which  he  possessed.  From  an  ac- 
count which  he  left  behind  him,  it  appears  that  he 
held  shares  of  two  vessels,  belonging  to  Scarbo- 
rough ;  and  had  also  a  small  share  in  some  busi- 
ness. Several  sums  of  money  belonging  to  him 
are  likewise  mentioned,  as  being  in  the  hands  of 
different  Friends  ;  and  from  the  best  estimate 
which  I  am  capable  of  forming,  the  value  of  the 
whole  was  about  eight  hundred  pounds,  exclusive 
of  above  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, which  he  says  William  Penn  gave  him ;  but 
it  is  doubtful  whether  he  ever  came  into  possession 
of  this  land,  so  as  to  derive  any  benefit  from  it^ 
As  it  does  not  appear  that  he  at  all  enriched  him- 
self by  marrying  a  woman  of  fortune,  it  is  likely 
the  property  which  he  possessed,  was  principally 
j^ati'imoniul.     This  may  account  for  the  ability 


IIFE  OF  GEOUGE  1"0X. 


m 


which  he  always  manifested  to  support  himself  in 
his  travels,  so  as  not  to  receive  any  assistance  from 
others,  further  than  that  hospitable  entertaiimient, 
which  the  great  head  of  tlie  church  has  provided 
for  his  ministers. 


In  the  different  relations  of  a  son,  a  husband, 
and  that  of  a  father  to  his  wife's  children,  he  a{). 
pears  to  have  discharged  the  duties  of  these  sta- 
tions with  affectionate  regard,  though  the  nature 
of  his  religious  services,  prevented  him  from  en- 
joying so  much  of  their  society,  as  would  have 
been  nmtually  agreeable.  To  the  children  of  his 
wife,  as  well  as  to  her,  he  was  much  attached. 
From  some  letters  still  preserved,  it  is  evident  that 
the  daughters  of  Judge  Fell,  as  well  as  their 
mother,  had  formed  a  very  high  opinion  of  George 
Fox,  in  the  early  part  of  his  public  services ;  and 
lie  having  been  the  means  of  bringing  them  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth,  they  became  united  to  him 
as  a  father  and  a  friend.  When  he  was  married  to 
their  mother,  the  disinterestedness  of  his  conduct, 
could  not  fail  to  add  greatly  to  their  esteem  and 
affection  ;  aud  it  appears,  by  a  testimony  respect- 
ing him,  given  by  his  wife's  daughters  and  theii; 
husbands,  that  they  indeed  found  him  "  as  a  ten- 
der father,  who  never  failed  to  give  them  wholo 
«ome  counsel  and  advice."  From  this  testimony 
it  also  appears  that  the  esteem  aud  affection  whicU- 

D  d  3 


91^ 


tIPE   OF   GEORGE    FOX, 


I 


they  had"  entertained  for  him  in  early  life,  was 
rather  increased  than  diminished  by  a  longer  and 
more  close  acquaintance ;  from  which  circiim* 
stance,  as  well  as  from  others,  we  may  gather,  that 
he  was  a  man  of  an  amiable  and  liberal  disposition, 
which  greatly  endeared  him  to  those  who  were 
most  intimately  acquainted  with  him. 

His  natural  faculties  were  clear  and  strong: 
and  though  he  had  not  the  polish  of  human  learn- 
ing, yet  he  was  not  deficient  in  useful  knowledge. 
**  A  divine  and  a  naturalist,**  says  William  Penn, 
"  and  all  of  God  Almighty's  making.  He  had  in 
him  the  foundation  of  useful  and  conimendable 
knowledge,  and  cherished  it  every  where."  He 
was  indeed  by  no  means  opposed  to  the  acquirer 
ment  of  learning,  except  as  a  necessary.  qualificaT 
tion  for  gospel  ministry.  On  the  contrary,  he 
greatly  promoted  the  establishment  of  schools,  m 
his  own  society  ;  and  may  be  considered  as  a  friend 
to  learning,  and  not  an  enemy  to  it^  as  some  havft 
erroneously  supposed* 


His  person  war  tall  and  corpulfent ;  and  his 
countenance  graceful.  His  manners,  to  use  the 
words  of  ¥R!liam  Penn,  were  "  civil  beyond  all 
forms  oF  breeding  :"  and  though  some  expressions 
which  he  occasionally  used  to  those  whom  he  con* 
sidered  as  persecutors^  and  enemies  of  the  tr^ith^ . 


tIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


3igi 


might  be  plainer,  or  coarser  than  would  now  be 
thought  proper ;  yet  this  is  confined  to  the  early 
part  of  his  writings,  and  may  be  imputed  to  the 
zealous  manners  of  the  times,  and  to  the  honest 
indignation  which  he  felt,  against  ajl  vioTations  of 
liberty  of  conscience  ;  and  particularly  against  the 
hypocrisy  and  deceit  of  many,  who  opposed  and 
persecuted  him.  His  general  conduct,  indeed,  was 
io  far  from  being  harsh  or  severe,  that  his  cotenv- 
porary  biographer,  already  quoted,  says,  that  "  he 
was  of  an  innocent  life,  no  busy  body,  no  self 
seeker,  neither  touchy  nor  critical ;  what  fell  from 
him  was  very  inoffensive,  if  not  very  edifying.  So 
meek,  contented,  modest,  easy,  steady,  it  was  a 
pleasure,  to  be  in  his  company.  A  most  merciful 
man ;  as  ready  to  forgive,  as  unapt  to  take  or  give 
an  offence." 


But  it  was  in  spii4tual  gifts  and  faculties,  that 
tills  apostle  of  his  day,  shone  with  the  greatest 
lustre.  "  He  was  a  man,"  ( 1  again  quote  William 
Penn,)  "that God  endowed  with  a  clear  and  won- 
derful depth.;  a  discerner  of  other  men's  spirits 
and  very  much  a  master  of  his  owm  And  though 
the  side  of  his  understanding  which  lay  next  to  the 
world,  and  especially  the  expression  of  it,  might 
sound  uncouth  and  unfashionable  to  nice  ears,  his 
matter  was  nevertheless  very  profound;  and,  as; 
abruptly  and  brokeuly  as  sometimes  his  seuteuc£s- 


320 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX, 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


321 


s    . 


would  fall  from  him,  about  divine  things,  it  is  well 
known  they  were  often  as  texts  to  manjr  fairer  de- 
clarations/' 

Though  this  sententious  and  rather  abrupt 
mode  of  expression,  might  be  his  frequent  manner 
of  delivery;  yet  this  does  not  apjjear  to  have  been 
alwavs  the  case  :  for  in  the  testimony ^keiLby  his 
children  concerning  him,  they  say,  that  "  though  of 
no  great  literature,  he  had  the  tongue  of  the 
learned,  and  cwdd  speak  a  word  in  due  season,  to 
the  conditions  and  capacities  of  most ;  especially 
to  them  that  were  weary  and  wanted  soul's  rest ; 
being  deep  in  the  divine  mysteries  of  the 
kingdom  of  God."  Of  this  part  of  his  cha- 
racter, I  find  a  remarkable  instance,  in  a  ma- 
nuscript which  has  been  put  into  my  hands, 
in  which  the  following  relation  is  given  by  an 
ancient  woman  Friend,  to  some  who  visited  her. 
«  And  now.  Friends,"  said  she,  "  I  will  tell  you  how 
I  was  first  convinced.  I  was  a  young  lass  at  that 
time,  and  livetl  in  Dorsetshire,  when  George  Fox 
came  to  that  county ;  and  he  having  appointed  a 
meeting,  to  which  people  generally  flocked,  I  went 
ahiong  the  rest ;  and  in  my  going  along  the  road, 
this  query  arose  in  my  mind  ;  What  is  it  that  I 
feel  which  condemneth  me  when  I  do  evil,  and 
justifieth  me  when  I  do  well?  What  is  it?  In 
Ais  state  I  went  to  the  meeting.     It  was  a  lafge 


gathering,  and  George  Fox  rose  up  with  these 
words :  W^ho  art  thou  that  queriest  in  thy  mind> 
what  is  it  which  I  feel,  which  condemneth  me 
when  I  do  evil,  and  justifieth  me  when  I  do  well  I 
I  will  tell  thee  what  it  is,  Lo  !  he  that  formeth 
the  mountains  and  createth  the  wind,  and  declareth 
unto  man  what  is  bis  thougjit ;  that  maketh  the 
morning  darkness,  and  treadeth  upon  the  high 
places  of  the  earth  ;  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Hosts 
is  his  name.  It  is  he  by  his  Spirit  that  condemneth 
thee  for  evil,  and  justifieth  thee  when  thou  dost 
well.  Keep  under  its  dictates,  and  it  will  be  thy 
preserver  to  the  end."  To  this  narration  the  aur 
cient  Friend  added,  "  It  was  the  truth,  the  very 
truth;  aod  I  have  never  departed  from  it." 

Tlie  principal  object  of  his  gospel  labours,  was> 
to  turn  the  minds  of  people  from  a  dependance 
on  the  teachings  of  men,  to  an  attention  to  the 
light  and  Spirit  of  Christ  in  their  own  hearts.  "  Ih 
his  ministry,**  adds  William  Penn,  "  he  endea- 
voured to  open  the  truth  to  the  people's  under- 
standing ;  and  to  ground  them  oiv  the  principle 
and  principal  Christ  Jesus,  the  light  of  the  world. 
He  had  an  extraordinary  gift  in  opening  the  scrip- 
tures ;  and  would  go  to  the  marrow  of  things,  and 
show  the  mind,  harmony,  and  fulfilling  of  them, 
with  much  plainness,  and  to  great  comfort  and. 
edi^catioa." 


S23 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE    FOX. 


! 


"  But  above  all,"  continues  this  capable  judge 
of  men  and  things,  "  above  all  he  excelled  in 
prayer.  The  inwardness  and  weight  of  his  spirit ; 
the  reverence  and  solemnity  of  his  address  and 
behaviour  ;  the  fewness  and  fullness  of  his  words, 
have  often  stiuck  eveu  strainers  in^ith  admiration ; 
as  they  used  to  reach  others  with  c<«8olation. 
The  most  awful^  living,  reverend  fram^  I  ever  felt 
or  beheld,  I  must  say,  was  his  in  prayer.  And 
truly  it  was  a  testimony  he  knew  and  lived  nearer 
to  the  Lord,  than  other  men  ;  for  they  that  know 
him  most,  will  see  most  reason  to  approach  kiiii 
with  reverence  and  fear  J* 

In  the  establishment  of  the  discipline,  it  has 
already  been  observed,  that  he  met  with  much  op- 
position from  many,  who  had  been  his  own  friends. 
Some  of  these  had  even  imbibed  an  enmity  against 
him;  and  both  publickly  and  privately, endeavoured 
to  lessen  his  services,  and  the  favourable  opinion 
\\hich  had  been  entertained  of  him.  But  here 
«gain,  William  Penn  goes  on,  **  He  bore  all  their 
M'eakness  and  prejudice,  and  returned  not  reflec- 
tion for  reflection ;  but  forgave  them  their  weak 
and  bitter  speeches.  And  truly  I  must  say,  that 
though  God  had  visibly  clothed  him  with  a  di- 
vine  preference  and  authority,  and  indeed  his  very 
presence  expressed  a  religious  majesty ;  yet  he 
never  abused  it,  but  held  his  place  in  the  church 


IIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


SC5 


of  God,  with  great  meekness,  and  a  most  engaging 
humility  and  moderation.  For  upon  all  occasions, 
like  his  blessed  master,  he  was  a  servant  to  all, 
holding  and  exercising  his  eldership,  in  the  invisible 
power  which  had  gathered  them,  with  reverence 
to  the  head,  and  care  over  the  body.  1  write 
niy  knowledge,  and  not  report,  and  my  witness  is 
true ;  having  been  with  him  for  weeks  and  months 
to'^ether  on  divers  occasions,  and  those  of  the 
iicarest  and  most  exercising  nature;  and  that  by 
ni'iht  and  by  day,  by  sea  and  by  land;  in  this 
and  in  foreign  countries ;  and  I  can  say,  I  never 
€aw  him  out  of  his  place,  or  not  a  matcli  for  every 
service  and  occasion." 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  delineation  of  the 
character  of  George  Fox,  chiefly  extracted  from 
"William  Penn's  account  of  him,  it  miiy  not  be  im- 
proper to  add  the  testimony  of  Thomas  ElKvood  : 
and  it  should  be  observed,  that  Penn  and  ElKvood 
were  botli  men  who  had  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, and  had  a  general  knowledge  of  tlie  world, 
and  things  relating  to  it ;  as  well  as  being  men  of 
religious  principle  and  moral  integrity  ;  so  that 
Ahcir  testimony  has  all  the  weight  and  respect,  that 
ran  be  required  on  such  an  occasion.  '1  lionia? 
Ell  wood's  accoimt  is  in  these  words  :  "  I  knew 
liim  not  till  the  year  I66O  ;  but  from  that  time  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  I  knew  him  well,  conversed 
v\ilh  him  oftcu;  observed  him  much,  lo^cd  him 


I 


324, 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX. 


il 


dearly,  and  honoured  him  truly ;  and,  upon  good 
experience,  can  say,  he  was  indeed  an  heavenly 
minded  man,  zealous  for  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
and  preferred  the  honour  of  God  before  all  things/' 

"  He  was  valiant  for  the  truth ;  bold  in  assert- 
ing it ;  patient  in  suffering  for  it ;  unwearied  in 
labouring  in  it;  steady  in  his  testimony  tO/it ;  im- 
moveable  as    a  rock.      Deep  he  was   i^    divine 
knowledge ;  clear  in  opening  heavenlyyTnystcries ; 
plain    and   powerfid    iu   preaching ;    fervent   in 
prayer-      lie    was  richly  endued   with   heavenly 
wisdom  ;  quick  in  discerning  ;  sound  in  judgment; 
able   and  ready   in  giving,    discreet    in    keeping 
counsel  ;  a  lover  of  ri«jfhteousness  :  an  encoura^er 
of  virtue,  justice,  temperance,  meekness,  puritv, 
chastity,  modesty,  Jmmility,  charity,  and  self  denial 
in  all ;  both  by  word  and  example.     Graceful  he 
was  in  countenance ;  manly  in  personage ;  f^rave 
in  gesture  ;  courteous  in  conversation  ;  weiglity  in 
communication  ;    instructive   in    discourse ;    free 
from  affectation  in  speech  or  carriage.     A  severe 
reprover  of  hard   and  obstinate  sinners ;   a  mild 
and  gentle  admonisher  of  such  as  were  tender  and 
sensible  of  their  failings.     Not  apt  to  resent  per- 
sonal  wrongs;  easy  to  forgive  injuries;  but  zea- 
lously earnest  where  the  honwu'  of  God,  the  pros- 
perity of  truth,  or  the  peace  of  the  church  was 
concerned.    Very  tender,  compassionate  and  pitiful 
lie  was  to  all  that  were  under  any  sort  of  affliction ; 


LIFE  OT  GEORGE  FOX. 


full  of  brotherly  love ;  full  of  fatherly  care :  for 
indeed  the  care  of  the  churches  of  Qjrist  was 
daily  upon  him,  the  prosperity  and  peace  ^^•llereof 
he  studiously  sought.  Beloved  he  was  of  God  ; 
beloved  of  God's  people ;  and,  (which  was  not 
the  laast  part  of  his  honour,)  the  common  butt  of 
all  apostates'  envy,  whose  good,  notwithstanding, 
he  earnestly  sought,  fie  lived  and  died  the  ser- 
vant of  the  Lord." 

I  have  thought  it  necessary  to  he  more  particu- 
lar in  giving  tlie  character  of  George  Fox  thus  at 
large,  and  from  men  the  most  capable  and  respect- 
able ill  every  sense  of  die  word,  because  of  the 
many  injurious  representations,  M'hich  have  been 
published  respecting  him.     In  every  thing  except 
learning,  (and  of  this  he  had  probably  as  much  as 
many  of  the  first  preachers  of  the  gospel,)  his  cImi- 
racter  will  not  suffer,  on  a  fair  comparison  with 
those  eminent   Reformers,  ivho   first  broke   the 
shackles  of  popery,  and  were  the  means  of  eman- 
cipating nations  from  the  yoke  of   the    Romish 
hierarchy.     Both  he  and  they  were  no  doubt  sub- 
ject to  like  passions  as   we  are ;  and  might  occa- 
sionally evince  the  weaknesses  of  human  nature ; 
but  in  natural  powers,  in  spiritual  gifts,  in  disinte- 
rested  and  extensive  gospel  labour,  and  in  those 
virtues  uhich  adorn  tlie  gospel  of  Christ,  few,  vrry 
fow,  I  believe,  have  exceeded  the  subject  of  this 
memoir. 


3*26 


tIFE  OF  GEORGE  FO.X^ 


Many  persons  have  been  accustomed  to  view 
this  extraordinary  man,  only  through  the  eyes  of 
his  adversaries.  If  any  of  these  should  read  this 
account  of  him,  taken  from  the  most  authentic 
sources  of  information,  it  is  hoped  diat  they  will 
be  convinced  of  the  injustice,  with  which  his  cha- 
racter has  been  generally  drawn,  JJjte  those 
Reformers  ali^ady  alluded  to,  h^'^ras  loaded  with 
severe  calumny  and  bitter  reproaches,  and,  I  be- 
lieve it  may  be  safely  said,  with  no  more  regard  to 
truth  than  they  were.  May  those  who  are  disposed 
to  treat  the  memory  of  such  a  man  injuriously, 
feel  the  force  of  the  following  lines,  written  by 
one  of  our  best  poets,  after  he  had  been  describing 
a  character  similar  to  that  which  we  have  just  de- 
lineated : 

**  Blush,  caloixiny  !  and  write  upon  his  tomb, 
Ifiionest  eulc^y  can  spare  thee  room. 
Thy  deep  repentance  of  thy  thousand  lies, 
Which,  aira*d  at  biro,  hare  pierced  tb'  offended  skici; 
And  say.  Blot  out  my  sin,  confess*d,  deplored, 
Against  -thine  image,  in  thy  Saint,  O  LcirdI 

FINIS, 


Trinted  by 
C  PEACOCK, 
York. 


APPENDIX, 

CiiHiaining  an  Account  of  George  Fox*$  Publications^ 


THE  Writings  of  Geoi-ge  Fox,  collected  and  published 
ftfter  his  death,  nre  contained  in  three  folio  volumes.  Tiie 
first  is,  "  A  Journal  or  Historical  Account  of  his  Life,  Tra- 
vels, SulTerings,  Christian  Experiences,  and  labour  of  Love 
in  the  Work  of  the  Ministry."  It  is  preceded  by  several 
Testimonies  concerning  him,  from  his  Relations  and  Friends; 
and  by  a  long,  but  excellexrt  Preface,  written  by  Wm.  Penn. 
From  this  Journal,  which  was  published  in  1694,  and  con- 
tains above  700  pages,  the  foregoing  Account  of  him,  is 
principally  extracted. 

The  second  Volume  consists  of"  many  Select  and  Christian 
Epistles  and  Testimonies,  written  on  sundry  Occasions." 
The  number  is  420 :  besides  these,  there  are  many  Epistles 
contained  in  the  first  and  third  Volumes.  George  Whitehead 
has  prefaced  this  Collection  of  Epistles,  with  some  pertinent 
remarks  on  the  Author,  and  his  works.  It  wa»  primed  in 
llie  year  1603,  and  contains  557  pages. 

The  third  Volume  is  entitled,  **  Gospel  Truth  demon- 
stiated,  in  a  Collection  of  Doctrinal  Books,"  &c.  To  thi» 
Volume,  are  also  prefixed  Testimonies  concerning  him  from 
many  of  his  Friends,  by  whom,  it  appears,  he  was  not  only 
much  loved,  whilst  living,  but  that  his  memory  was  greatly 
revered,  when  he  was  removed  from  them.  This  Volume 
was  printed  in  the  year  1706;  above  fifteen  years  after  his 
death.  The  Pieces  are  arranged  chronologically;  many  of 
them  are  very  short,  and  the  title  of  each  will  be  given  at 
the  close  of  this  general  Account.    This  Volume  consists  cjf 

£  e  2 


30.^ 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDfX, 


329 


1090  pages,  exclusive  of  the  Testimonies,  and  a  short  Pre- 
face. Besides  the  Contents  of  these  three  Volumes,  there 
are  many  other  Publicatbns,  noticed  by  J.  Whiting,  in  his 
Cakilogue  of  Friends'  Books. 

George  Fox,  though  not  a  man  of  learning,  was,  no  dcuht, 
a  man  of  reading.  In  the  Scriptures*  he  was  particularly 
well  versed ;  and  he  appears  to  have  read  much  iu  Ecclesias- 
tical, and  some  other  Histories.  As  an  Author,  we  are  often 
struck  with  the  excellence  of  his  matter,  and  the  strength  of 
his  argument;  though  we  must  acknowIedg.e  a  want  of  method 
and  of  polish,  particularly  in  his  early  writings.  For  these 
purposes,  learning  is  certainly  very  useful,  and  renders  writ- 
ten works  more  agreeable,  and  in  general  more  beneficial. 
But  the  want  of  learning,  if  a  fault,  was  the  fault  of  his  pa- 
rents, rather  than  of  himself;  and  the  defect  was  perhaps 
more  than  counterbalanced,  by  rendering  his  natural  and 
spiritual  gifts  more  conspicuous;  and  by  more  strongly 
evincing  the  power  of  that  grace,  by  which  he  might  say  with 
the  Apostle,  "  I  am  what  I  am." 


>o^smmop^ 


•  It  appears  that  be  did  not  nse  the  common  trans^atioD, 
"ftnt  either  Cranmer's,  or  some  other  ancient  vernion.  One  of 
these  was  placed,  I  suppose  by  him,  in  the  Meeting-house  whicft 
he  built  at  Swarihmore.  In  a  Note  at  the  end  of  one  of  his 
Books,  he  mentions  using  "  the  antieut  approved  Bible> 
printed  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign." 


tISTof  GEORGE  FOX's  WRITINGS, 

Contained  in  the  last-mentioned  Vol  tone, 

Datt 

i.  To  all  that  would  know  the  Way  to  the  Kingdom ;  whe- 
ther they  be  in  Forms,  without  Formi»,  or  got  above  all 
Forms 1653 

3.  The  Vials  of  the  Wrath  of  God,  poured  forth  upon  the 

Man  of  Sin,  and  upon  all  Professors  of  tlie  World,  wIk> 

deny  the  Light  of  Christ  .         ^        .        .     I054i 

8.  A  Word  from  the  Lord  to  all  the  Worlds  &C..     ,    --r^ 

4.  To  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ        •        .     ■■ 

5.  To  the  high,  and  lofty  ones         ....    1055- 

6.  To  all  the  Rulers  of  the  Earth  .  .        .    — 

7.  A  Visitation  to  the  Jews  ,  ...     1050- 

8.  A  Visitation  to  all  you  that  liave  long  had  the  Scriptures, 
but  are  found  out  of  the  Life  of  (hem  that  gave  them 
forth,  Uc,        .......  ■ 

9.  A  Declara^oa  of  the  Diiference  of  the  Ministers  of  the 

Word,  from  the  Ministers  of  the  World       .       .    . 

10.  A  Cry  for  Repentance,  unto  the  Inhabitants  of  London 
chiefly  .  •..-...     . 

Jl.  The  Woman-  learning  ift  Silence ;  or  the  Mystery  of 
Woman's  Subjection  to  Ker  Husband ;.  also  the  Daugh- 
ter prophecyiog        w ■     .  ■ 

tSL  A  Declaration  concerning  Fasting,  and  the  Prayer  that 
God  accepts-      ,      .        .        •        ^       .        ,  » 

13.  The  Promise  of  God  proclaimed,  which  is  Christ     ■ 

14.  An  Epistle  to  all  People  on  the  Earth;  showing  the  Ig- 
norance of  all  the  WorW^  both  Professors  and  Teachers, 
of  the  Birth  tliat  must  be  silent,  and  of  the  Birth  that 
is  (0  speak,  &c.        ......     1657 

*5.  Concerning  Silent  Meetings       ....    ■ 
]!th  To  all  Uie  Magistrates  in  London,  &c.       «        r    — - 

S  6  3 


530 


Appendix. 


17 

ia 

19 
20, 


2'1. 
53. 

25. 


28. 
29. 


.•50. 


32. 

33. 
34. 


Concerning  the  World's  hypocritical  Salutations      16jC 
The  Fashions  of  the  World  made  manifest ;  also  a  few 

Words  to  the  City  of  London  .  .  .    . 

The  second  Covenant,  &:c.         ,         .         .         .     - 
A  Warning  to  all  the  Merchants  in  London;  with  Ad- 
vice to  them  to  lay  aside  their  Superfluity,  and  with  it 

to  nourish  the  Poor jg^g 

Tire  Pearl  found  In  England       .        .        *        ,    . , 

The  Wrath  of  the  Lamb  ....    . 

The  Lamb's  Officer  is  gone    forth  with  the  Lamb'* 
Message         .         .         .        .        .        .        .    1555 

The  serious  People's  Reasoning  and  Speech  with  the 
World's  Professors  .         .  ,  ,  .     - 

The  Dilierence  bet^veen  the  Worid*s  Relation  and  the 
Saint's  Relation  ,  .  ,  .  ,  ,  «_^ 
To  the  People  of  Uxbridgc  .  .  .  .  ^ 
A  Word  in  Behalf  of  the  King;  that  he  may  see  who  thty 
are  that  honour  all  Men,  love  the  Brotherhood,  fear 
God,  and  honour  the  King        .         .        .         ,     jggQ 

To  the  Turk,  and  all  that  are  ander  his  Authority    

Some  Papers  given  forth,  to  the  Magistrates  of  the  Island 
of  Melita;  and  to  the  Emperor  of  the  Houee  of  Austrio, 
and  to  all  those  Princes  under  him;  to  the  King  of 
France,  and  all  the  Powers  that  be  under  him;  and  to 
the  King^of  Spain;  and  lastly  to  the  Pope  .     — 

To  the  Emperor  of  China,  and  his  subordinate  Kings 
and  Princes-      .         .         .         ^         ^  ^^ 

To  all  the  Nations  under  the  whole  Heavens;  and  to  all 
those  who  have  ministered  the  Letter,  and  yet  are  igno- 
rant,  and  hive  kept  others  in  the  Ignorance,  t>oth  of  th« 
Letter  and  Spirit  also 

A  few  Plain  Words  by  Way  of  Query  and  Information 
to  the  Teachers  and  People  of  the  Nation  -       ,    - 

To  both  Houses  of  Parliament  

Concerning  Christ  Jesus  the  Covenant  of  God.  . 


APPENDIX, 


001 


55.  Truth's  Triumph  in  the  eternal  Power  over  the  dark 
Inventions  of  fallen  Man         .         .         .        .     Kjgj 

36.  A  Declaration  to  the  Jews;  in  which  they  may  see  that 

the  Messiah  is  come,  according  to  their  own  Prophets^ 
and  Gabriel  the  Angel ;  and  according  to  their  Number 
of  Time  and  Years  out  of  Daniel  ix.  . .       . .  — ^. 

37.  To  all  that  profess  Christianity  are  these  followint'  Par- 
ticulars—Concerning their  Name  of  Christians Loving 

Enemies  —  The  Worship  in  Spirit  — Gospel  Fellow- 
ship— Their  many  Heads  and  Baptisms — Their  many 
Churches — Their  disagreeing  about  Scripture's  Inter- 
pretation .  ......    , 

33.  Clirist's  Light  the  only  Amidote  to  overcome  and  expel 
the  Poison  of.  Sataii's  greatest  Temptations        .     1C62 

39.  A  Measuring  Rule  concerning  Liberty  and  Persecution 

40.  To  all  Rulers  of  Families         , .        .         .         .    — — 

41.  Some  Queries  to  s\\l  the -Teachers-  ahd  Professors  oi 
Christianity  to  answer       .         ,         .         , .       .     ^qqq 

42.  To  all  Sorts  of  People  in  Christendom        . .      .     1667 

43.  Gospel  Liberty  and  the  Royal  Laws  of  Love,  set  above 
Artaxerxes  and  Nebuchadnezar's  Law  and  Commands* . 
and  above  the  Medes  and  Persians  and  Darius'  De* 
cr«es 1663 

44.  Concerning,  the  Aa  that  prohibits,  that  not  above  fours 
or  five  may  meet  .  ,  .  ...     - 

45.  A  Hammer  to  break  down  all  invented  Images,  Imajje- 
makers,  and  Image  Worshippers        .        .        .     1671 

40.  The  Heathens'  Divinity  set  upon  the  Heads  of  all  called 
Christians         .         .         .         ,         .         . .       .     .. 

47.  To  all  Professors  in  the  Christian  World :  Also  to  the. 
Turks  and  Jews  throughout  the  whole  World  IC73 

48.  A  Warning  to  England,  &c. .  .  .^        .     1674* 
40.  For  all  the  Bishops  and  Priests  in  Christendom,. to  mea- 
sure themselves  by  the  Scriptures  of  Tritth^  aod«  the 
^irit  vibeQce  they  came        •-       %.       •• 


332 


HVPEXDIX-. 


APPENDIX. 


333 


50.  A  Looking  Glass  for  the  Jens  .  .         .1674 

51.  A  Testimony  of  what  we  beheve  of  Christ,  both  as  he 
was  God  and  as  he  was  IVIaa  .  ,  ,     167^ 

52.  A  sraall  Treatise  concerning  Swearhig        .         ,    ■ 

53.  Primitive  Ordination  and  Succession  of  Bishops,  &c.  in 
the  Church  of  Christ  .....  j 

54.  Possession  above  Profession         ....    — — 

55.  To  all  Magistrates  and  People  in  Christendom,  to  turn 

from  the  persecuting  Mind,  and  receive  the  Mind  of 
Christ  .■ 1676 

56.  The  People  of  God,  in  Scorn  called  Quakers,  their  Love 

to  all  Mankind  asserted  .^         .  ,         ^    — . 

57.  Concerning  Revelation,  Prophecy,  Measure  and  Rule; 
and  the  Inspiration  and  Sufficiency  of  the  Spirit      

58.  The  Beginning  of  Tithes  in  the  Law,  and  Ending  of 
Tithes  in  the  Gospel _ 

59.  The  Spiritual  Man  Chrisfr  Jesus,  the  blessed  Seed,  Light 
of  Life,  Purger  of  Conscience^  Healer  of  Nations,  and 
Restorer  of  Mankind        .....     1677 

60.  Christ's  Parable  of  Dives  aiid  Lazarus,  for  all  called 
Christians  and  others  to  consider         .       ,         .  . 

61.  A  Testimony  i'or  all  the  Masters  of  Ships  and  Seamen 

to  read  over  ,  .  .....    —— 

62.  Concerning  Christ,  the  spiritual  and  holy  Head  over  his 

holy  Church  .  .  .  ... 

63.  To  all  the  Kings,  Princes,  and  Governours  in  the  whole 

World,  amd  all  that  profess  themselves  Christians,  and 
others  .  .  .  ....     - 

64.  The  Spirit  of  Man  the  Candle  of  the  Lord,  &c.      

66.  A  Testimonj  concerning  the  Blood  of  the  old  Covenant, 

and  the  Blood  of  the  new  Covenant     .       .       ,     1678 

66.  A  Demonstration  to  the  Christians  in  Name,  without 

the  Nature  of  it;  how  they  hinder  the  Conversion  of 

the  Jews  .  .-»►...     1679 

69.  Election  and  Rep  robfttion^  clearly  discovered      «    i 

IK 

\ 


#6.  A  Distinction  between  the-  new  Covenant  and  the 
old 1679 

69.  A  Warning  to  all  that  profess  Christianity  to  beware  of 
Covetousness  .  ....►-         ■ 

70.  The  Man  Ciirist  Jesus  the  Head  of  the  Church,  and  true 
MediutQr,  in  Opposition  to  the  Papist  Head,  their 
Pope,  &c.        .        .        ..       .        .        .        *-   — 

71.  Concerning  the  Living  God  of  Truth,  and-  the  Workl^s 

God,  in  whom  there  is  no  Truth       .        ..        .     1660 

72.  A  clear  Distinction  between  the  old  Covenant  and  the 

new  Covenant  .  .         .         .         .         .    — 

73.  To  the  Great  Turk,,  and  King  at  Algiers;  with  a  Post* 
script  of  George  Pattison's  taking  the  Turks,  and  setting 
them  on  their  own  Shore  ....    — ^-. 

74.  The  Protestant  Christian  Quaker,  a  Sufferer  by  Reliques 

of  Popery         .......    — - 

75.  An  Encouragement  for  all  to  trust  in  the  Lord   .     1682 

76.  An  Epistle  to  all  Christians,  Jews,  and  Gentiles,,  show* 
ing  how  that  God  dwells  not  in  Temples  made  with 
Hands         .  .  ...         .        t        .  ■■ 

77.  Concerning  Persecution  in  all  Ages  .  .  ■ 

78.  How  the  Devil  was  and  is  the  old  Informer  against  the 
Righteous ,  , 

79.  A  Paper  to  Friends  and  others  against  the  Pomps  of  the 

World 1683 

80.  A  Way  to  prevent  the  Indignation  and  Judgments  of 
God  coming  on  a  Kingdom,  Nation,  or  Family      — - 

81.  To  all  Rulers  and  Magistrates  to  take  heed  of  per- 
secuting, &c .    — - 

82.  The  Causes  why  Adam  and  Eve  were  driven  out  of 

Paradise,  and  the  Jews  out  of  Canaan       ,       .    — . 

83.  Several  plain  Truths  manifested  and  declared  from  the 
Spirit  of  God;  and  born  Testimony  to  by  Christ,  the 
Apostles,  and  Scriptures         .         .         .        .    1684. 


.'. 


t34 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX. 


535 


I 


B4k  A  Distinction  betwixt  the  War»  and  Weapons,  &c.  in 

the  Old  Testament  and  the  New       .         .         .     1084 

85.  Cooceming  Cain        •..•..      ■■■— 

U$*  Uniformity  and  Conformity  proclaimed  to  the  whole 

World  ...••••    - 

87.  The  Authority  of  the  Chorch  of  Christ       .        »    — 

88.  Concerning  Exhortation  and  Admonition      .      .    »~« 

89.  Concerning  such  as  cry  against  Orders        .        .    — 
^.  Concerning  Meeting  in  Houses,  Ships,  Streets,  Moun- 
tains, and  High  Ways  .  •  .  .    •^— 

W.  The  State  of  the  Birth  Temporal  and  Spiritual :  Also 
showing  that  Children  are  the  Heritage  of  the  Lord  — — • 

P2.  Trying  of  Spirits  in  our  Age,  as  in  the  Apostles'  Days 
by  the  Spirit  of  Christ       •         .         .         .         »  ■ 

93.  The  Saints'  iieavenly  and  spiritual  Worship,  Unity,  and 

Communion  .  »         ►  ..  *        •    — — 

94.  A  Word  of  Admonition  to  such  as  wander  from  the 
Anointing  and  Teaching  within.  Also  concerning  the 
Supper  of  the  Lord,  &c.  ....    — 

95.  Concerning  such  as  shall  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of 

God,  and  such  as  shall  not        .         <         .         .     — • 

96.  Concerning  such  as  have  forbidden  Preaching  or  Teacli- 
ing,  in  the  Name  of  Jesus         .         .        .        .    — — 

97.  To  the  Chief  Magistrates,  Rulers,  &c.       .         .     — — 

98.  An  Exhortation«to  all  People,  to  Pureness,  Cleanness, 
and  Holiness,  and  Faithfulness  to  the  Lord         .     1685 

99.  A  Distinction  betwixt  the  two  Suppers  of  Christ  j  namely, 
the  last  Supper  in  tlie  Night  before  he  was  crucified; 
and  the  Supper  after  he  was  risen  and  ascended,  which 
be  calls  People  to  in  Revelations  iir.         .         .     ■ 

100.  Couceroing  Christ,  the  Resurrection  of  the  Just  and 

Unjust  .  .  .  »        •        »        .    ■ 

101.  Concerning  the  Stone  that  smote  the  Image,  &c.     ^— 
102  To  all  Kings,  Princes,  Rulers,  Goveroours,  Bishops  and 

Clergy  that  profess  Christianity         •        ,        •  ■ 


103.  A   Distinction   between   the  true   Liberty  and   the 
false  ^ 1685 

104.  How  the  unchangeable  God  is,  and  how  all  People  may 
know  him,  and  in  what  he  is  worshipped  and  served         i. 

105.  A  true  Account  of  the  sensible,  thankful,  and  holy  State 
of  God's  People 1686 

106.  To  all  Magistrates  in  Christendom,   against  Perse- 
cution .         ^  ,         .  ...    — - 

107.  How  God*s  People  are  not  to  take  the  Names  of  the 
heathen  Gods  in  their  Mouths,  &c  ,  ,     1687 

108.  A  Testimony  for  God's  Truth         .  .  .    — 

109.  Concerning  the  Apostjvte  Christians  that  think  to  do 
Miracles  by  dead  Men's  Bones,  &c.  .  .     1688 

110.  An  Answer  to  the  Speech  or  Declaration  of  the  great 
Turk,  with  tlie  Speech  prefixed  .  ,  .  , 

111.  Concerning  early  Sacrifices  and  Offerings      .     .     — — . 

112.  Concerning  the  Antiquity  of  the  People  of  God,  called 
Quakers         ,  ,         .         .        .        ,        ,     1689 

113.  A  spiritual  or  heavenly  Salutation  to  all  the  tender- 
hearted in  Christendom  ....  ■ 

114.  The  inward  and  spiritual  Warfare,  and  the  false  Pre- 
tence of  it        ;•         .         ,         .         »         .         .     _« 

A  Variety  of  Subjects  are  here  treated  on. 

115.  Several  Treatises  worthy   of  every    true   Cliristian's 
Consideration  •  .         ....     ■   ,  i^ 

Most  of  these  are  against  Persecution. 

Note.— Several  of  the  foregoing  Titles  are  contracted 
from  the  Orj^ioali* 


PMhhed  and  Sold  ftj^  W.ALEXANDER,  York, 

Ahrid^ent  <^  Hugh  Turford's  Grounds  of  a  Holt 
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Remarks  on  <&eTHEATRE  and  FmEat  RrcHMONO,  8d.  4*  1    0 

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stitched,  6d.  or, per  dozai ».50 

■  Faith,  Sic.  jine,  8(f.  w  per  dozen      .,,66 

The  Progress  of  Vaccination  ;  showing  its  superiority 
over  tlte  Small  Pox,  ana  calculated  to  remove  the  preju- 
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for  1813,  containing  Memoirs  of  Beiyamin  Lay  and  An- 
thony  Benezet ;  the  Paradise  of  ^egro  Slaves^  a  drtam; 
^me  -inteirsting  Questions ;  an  obituary  of  Ministers  and 
other  Public  Characters  in  the  Society  t^  friends;  verses 
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BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES 


OF 


OF   THE 


SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS. 


By  HENRY  TUKE. 


>f.">< 


VOLUME  II. 


S,  PARNEL,  J.  CAMM,   W.  ROBINSON,   ^C.  ^c. 


"  >i«0(8>IblQco— 


l^orft 


PRINTED  FOR  W.  ALBZANDER,  AND  SOLD  BY  Ulil  • 

SOLD  also  by 
M.  M .  AND   B.  WEBB,   BRISTOL  ; 
DABTON,  HARVEY,  AND  CO.  W.  PHILLTPI^. 

Ann  w.  oarton,  joh.  lonbon. 

1815. 


sniiomijSement. 


=t 


!l%e  Editor  expected  to  give  in  this  volume,  a  short 
biographical  Sketch  of  the  Author,  hy  Idndley  Murray ; 
hut  a  variety  of  considerations  have  operated  to  induce  the 
printing  df  it  in  a  distinct  pamphlet ;  yet  in  such  a  form 
as  to  bind  up  with  sets  of  the  Author's  works,  which  may 
then, he  had  complete  in  4t  vols. 


The  Supplement  to  the  life  of  George  Fox  is  so  printed 
as  to  be  bound  up,  either  with  this  or  the  first  volume  of  the 
^  Biographical  Notices,"  at  the  option  of  the  purchaser. 


bf| 


PREFACE  TO  VOLUME  11. 


THE  pioas  and  benevolent  Author  of  the  following 
work,  had  nearly  completed  the  volume,  before  he  became 
80  much  indisposed  as  to  be  unable  to  give  it  his  finishing 
band.  But  the  useful  and  excellent  nature  of  the  work 
demands  its  publication.  It  may  be  considered  as  the 
last  legacy  of  the  Author,  to  the  members  of  that  Society, 
whom  he  dearly  loved,  and  for  whose  best  interests  he  felt 
himself  deeply  concerned.  It  is  therefore  a  debt  of  justice, 
both  to  his  memory,  and  to  the  persons  for  whom  it  was 
composed,  to  present  it  to  them  nearly  in  the  state  in 
which  he  left  it. 

The  work  in  its  present  condition,  except  the  notice 
respecting  William  Ames,  the  materials  for  which  had  not 
been  seasonably  procured,  received  the  approbation  of  the 
Morning  Meeting  of  Friends  iu  London,  before  the  Author's 
decease.  But  as  it  was  his  intention  to  give  an  account^ 
in  Its  proper  place,  of  this  intrepid  and  steady  advocate  for 


m 


VI 


PREFACE. 


the  caase  of  truth  and  righteousness,  tlie  omission  has. 
been  supplied  by  another  person.    The  notice  will  be 
found  at  p.  189;  and  it  is  hoped,  that  this  supply  will  prove 
Boore  satisfactory  to  the  reader,  than  if  it  had  been  wholly 
omitted. 

Whether  any  Friend  may,  in  future,  proceed  in  the 
aGComplishment  of  these  "  Biographical  Notices,''  is  at 

present  uncertain.  It  is,  however,  a  desirable  object,  that 
so  entertaining  and  useful  a  work,  as  memorials  of  the 
lives  and  characters  of  many  distinguished  members- of  our 
society,  should  be  completed. according  to  the  plan  of  the 
Author,  for  the  comfort,  example,,  and  encouragement  uf 
many  amongst  us,  especially  of  the  rising  generation^ 
And  it  is  hoped  that  some  judicious  person,  qualified  foe 
so  interesting  a  work,  may  feel  his  mind  engaged  to  carry 
forward  and  complete,  the  views  of  our  dean  departed 
friend. 

It  is  presumed  that  the  present  volume,  from  the 
variety  of  characters  which  it  contains,  and  from  most  of 
them  being  but  little,  if  at  all,  known  to  many  Friends, 
will  excite  a  peculiar  interest  and  attention  in-  its  readers ; 
and  produce  in  their  minds  that  satisfaction,  which  arises 
from  the  perception  of  new  and  revived  evidences,  in  sup- 
port of  those  principles  which  have  long  commanded  their 
respect  and  attachment. 


CONTENTS  TO  VOLUME  11, 


CHAPTER  I, 

Page, 
IflFE  OP  James  Paakel  .    ...........       1—20 

CHAP.  II. 
Life  of  John  Cj^m 21—28 

CHAP.  in. 
Life  of  William  Robinson ,  ,      39—38 

CHAP.  IV. 
Life  of  Maemaduke  Stevenson   .    .   .  '^  .  ,      39—44 

CHAP.  V. 
Life  of  Maey  Dyer ,  , ,      45.^.50 

CHAP.  VL 
liFE  OP  Willjam  Leddba ;      51—58 

CHAP.  VII. 
Life  op  Thomas  Aldam,  &c 59^66 


S 


Tlii  CONTENTS. 

Page, 
CHAP.  VUI. 

Life  of  James  Nayler   ...,»...«•••      67—92 

CHAP.  IX. 
Life  of  John  Lilburne .•••••      93—106 

CHAP.  X. 

Life  oe  George  Fox  the  Younger 107 — 122 

CHAP.  XI. 

Life  of  Richard  Hubberthorne 122 — 128 

CHAP.  XII. 
Life  of  William  Ames •  •  •  •    129—140 

CHAP.  XIII, 
Life  of  Edward  Burrough .    141— .180 

CHAP.  XIV. 
Life  of  Humphrey  SmitA 181—193 

CHAP.  XV. 
Life  of  John  Audlanb •  .  .     195--204 

CHAP.  XVI. 
Life  of  William  Caton ,    205—220 

CHAP.  XVII. 
Life  of  Samuel  Fishes ,  ,  .    221— >232 


CHAPTER    U 


LIFE  OF  JAMES  PJRNEL. 


As  the  chronological  order  of  my  work,  is  re^ 
gulated  by  the  decease  of  llie  party,  the  first 
«ubject  presented  to  my  notice,  is  James  Par- 
tJEL,  a  young  man  who  died  in  prison,  when 
only  19  y«ar«  of  age;  and  who  may  be  const* 
^ered  as  the  protomartyr  of  oi*r  Society,  in  sup- 
port of  its  religious  principles.  ^ 

He  was  bom  at  Retford,  in  the  year  1 636  or  7, 
and  received  a  liberal  education,  probably  at  the 
<jranimar  School  there.  Of  his  parents  I  do 
not  find  any  account,  except  that  the  father  was 
a  tradesman,  which  is  incidentally  noticed  in  one 
ef  the  son's  publications. 

Whilst  James  was  at  school,  and  for  a  short 
time  after  he  left  it,  he  appears  to  have  been  of 
a  wild  disposition.  His  account  of  himself  at 
this  period  is :  "  I  may  well  say  with  Paul,  '  Of 
eiuners  I  was  chief;'  for  according  to  my  years> 


•2'  -LIFE   OF   JAMES   PARNEL. 

1  was  934)erfect  in  siaaud  inJquityr^s^Any-i&lLe 
town  where.  I  lived ;  yea  and  exceeded  roany  iu 
'  the  same."  But  his  mind  appears  to  have  been 
>  very  early  visited  wiUiohe^i^nifestations  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  and  Light  of  Christ ;  by  yielding  to 
xvhich,  he  became  sensible  of  the  exfee^iiig  sin- 
fulness of  >[iin,  and  of  the  vanity  of  ma^y  of  the 
customs  of  the  \vx)rld.  This-produced  a  mani- 
fest  change  in  his  conduct  and  behaviour,  in 
consequeuce  of  i^ihith^  they  who  had  loved  him 
in  his  vain  convejrsation, abated  him  so  much  the 
more  in  his  conversion.  .Many.of  his  own  rela- 
tions were  also  much  disisatisfied,  and  he  became 
an -object  of  ridicule  in  the  streets,  so  that  he  was 
accounted  as  one  not  worthy  to  live ;  and  some 
Mere  so  violent  as  to  say,  that  he  who  kill<;d  him 
avould  do  God  service. 

These  si^ffe rings  he  was,  however,  enabled  to 
bear  with  great  firmness,  and  dependance  on  that 
Divine  Power  which  had  visited  his  young  and 
tender  mind.  This  he  gratefully  acknowledges  in 
these  words:  "  He  thaj  called  mc^untoliimself, 
that  I  might  no  longer  follow  the  vain  courses 
of  the  world,,  nor  set  my  xielight  on  things  be- 
low, but  that  I  might  serve  Him  in  newness  of 
life,  He  by  his  power  kept  me,  and  gave  me 
strength  to  bear  his  cross,  and  despise  the  shame; 
so  that  neither  foul  NN^ords, -nor  fair  words,  could 


tlPE    OI»   JAMES    PARN^EL. 

cause  me  to  deny  what  Gotl,  by  his  grace,  had 
wrought  in  my  heart." 

In  this  state  of  mind  he  became  dissatisfied 
with  the  forms  of  worsliip  then  most  prevalent, 
and  was  desirous  of  finding  a  people  with  whom 
lie  could  cordially  unite.  Ibis  desire  it  seems 
was  granted  him,  for  a  few  miles  from  the  place 
in  which  he  livedo  he  met  with  some  serious 
people, "  whom,"  he  says, "  the  Lord  was  gatlier- 
ing  from  the  dark  world,  to  sit  down  together 
and  wait  upon  his  name."  To  these  he  joined 
himself,  and  they  became  objects  of  reproach  in 
the  country  where  they  lived — **  counting  it,"  as 
Jie  observes,  "  greater  riches  to  suflfer  afHiction 
witli  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  plea- 
i$ures  of  sin  for  a  season." 

Tie  Was  now  only  fifteen  years  of  age. — After 
-writing  these  words,  my  pen  was  arrested  in  its, 
progress,  while  I  contemplated  this  extraordinary 
instance  of  the  operation  of  di^vine  grace  in  sa 
early  a  period  of  life.  But  all  things  are  possi- 
ble to  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do;  and  truly 
He  may  still  be  thus  addressed  :  "  Out  of  tlie 
mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings  bast  thou  or- 
dained strength.'" 

About  this  time,  which  was  the  year  1'653,  he 
f«iund  his  mind  drawn  to  visit  s©me  Friends  in 

B  2 


I 


4  Xll'E   OF  JiMES   PARNEt. 

the  North  of  England,  "  with  whom,**  he  sayt, 
**  I  had  union  in  Spirit  before  I  saw  their  faces." 
Jt  was  in  this  journey  that  he  visited  George  Fox 
in  Carlisle  jail.  George's  account  of  him  is :  "  J. 
Parnel,  a  little  lad,  about  sixteen  years  of  age, 
came  to  see  me,  and  was  convinced.  The  Lor<l 
:  quickly  made  him  a  powerful  Minister  of  the 
Word  of  Life,  and  many  were  turned  to  Christ 
by  him."  By  this  it  appears  that  the  people  to 
-whom  he  had  joined  himself  near  Retford,  were 
not  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  but  probably 
Seekers,  many  of  whom  became  united  to 
JFriends. 

In  the  year  1655,  he  was  concerned  to  visit  a 
serious  people  about  fifteen  miles  south  from 
Hetford,  and  when  there,  his  mind  was  drawn  to 
proceed  to  Cambridge,  where  he  published  two 
papers,  one  against  corrupt  ministers,  and  the 
other  against  corrupt  magistrates,  for  which  he 
•was  committed  to   prison.     He  was  confined 
here  during  two  sessions,  andafterwards  sent  out 
of  the  town  with  a  pass  as  a  rogue  and  vagabond ; 
but  a  justice  of  the  peace  Who  was  sensible  of 
his  innocence,  followed  him  and  took  the  pass 
back  to  Cambridge.    "Not  lofig  after  James  re- 
turned there,  and  engaged  in  a  dispute  with  the 
Baptists  of  that  place,  which  appears  to  have 
been  pioductive  of  little  benefit.    In  departing 


LIFE   or  JAMES   PARNEt^ 


* 


from  this  public  dispute^  he^  received  very  mde 
treatment  from  the  scholars  of  the  University, 
from  whom  he  escaped  with  much  difficulty. 


He  continued  in  Cambridgeshire  about  half  a 
year,  and  then  went  into  Essex.  In  both  coun-^ 
ties  he  met  with  much  opposition^  but  many 
were  convinced  by  his  ministry.  Among  the 
rest  was  Stephen  Crisp  of  Colchester,  who  was 
afterwards  a  very  useful  member  and  able  minis- 
ter in  the  Society.  In  this  town  James  spent 
about  ten  days  at  this  time,  preaching  in  one  day 
first  at  his  own  lodgings,  next,  after  the  service 
in  one  of  the  public  places  of  worship,  and  af- 
terwards in  a  large  meeting  appointed  for  him. 
After  all  this  he  disputed  publicly  with  two  priests 
in  the  French  School.  Many  thousands  of  peo- 
ple were  this  day  partakers  of  his  gospel  labours^ 
"  in  all  which,"  according  to  Stephen  Crisp, 
"  the  wisdom,  power,  and  patience  of  Christ  ap- 
peared very  gloriously ;  to  the  convincing,"  adds 
Stephen,  "  myself  and  many  more,  who  were 
witnesses  of  that  day's  work."  Stephen  Crisp's 
account  of  his  services  in  Colchester  is  so  de- 
scriptive and  impressive,  that  I  cannot  well  for- 
bear continuing  his  narrative :  '^  He  spent  that 
week  in  preaching,  praying,  exhorting,  and  ad- ' 
nionishing,  turning  the  minds  of  all  sorts  of  pro- 
fessors to  the  light  of  Jesus,  which  did  searcb 

B  3 


IIFE    OF   JAMES   PARNEI.* 


^YFE    OF  JAM-BS    PARNEE'. 


tbeir  hearts  and  show  their  thoughts,  that  they 
might  believe  therein,   and  so  might  become 
children  of  the  light.     Many  did  believe^  and 
found  it  so.     Others  were  hardened  and  re- 
belled against  the  appearance  of  truth,  and  be- 
came enemies,  with   \\hora  he  disputed  datly 
in  great  soundness,  and  in  the  evidence  and  de»- 
monstration  of  the  Spirit;,  by  which  also  many 
were  reached  and  convinced  of  the  truth,  and 
the  mouths  of  gainsayers  stopped.     This  made 
many  gnash  their  teeth  on  him,  and  some  under- 
took to  club  out  the  priest's  and  professor's  ar- 
guments, by  beating  this  dear  lamb  with  fist* 
and  staves,  who  took  all  patiently,  particularly 
oue  who  struck  him  with  a  great  staff  as  he  came 
out   of  one  of  the  steeple  houses  and  said: 
V There,  take  that  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake;*  to 
which  he  returned  this  answer :  *  Friend,  I  do  re- 
ceive  it  for  Jesus  ChriiH's  sake.'     Many  othec 
intolerable  affronts  were  offered    him,   in  all 
which  his  spirit  was  not  seen  to  be  raised  in  heat 
or  anger,  but  was  a  pattern  of  patience  and 
jpeekness.** 

From  Colchester  he  went  to  Coggeshall,  where 
be  bad  been  before.  A  fast  was  appointed  by 
jUie  Independents,  who  were  now  the  ruling  party 
in  Church  and  State.  The  object  of  it  was  to  pray 
ac;aiiuit  the  spreading  of  error;  by  which  it  ap- 


pears they  meant  the  doctrines  of  the  Quaker?. 
But  they  were  not  content  with*  praying ;  a  ser- 
mon must  also  be  preached,  in  which  that  peo- 
ple were  bitterly  inveighed  against,  and  much 
misrepresented.  Thi»  roused  the  zeai  of  James 
Parnel,  who  was  present;  and  when  the  priest 
had  finished,  he  commenced  a  reply  to  the  re- 
flections which  had  been  cast  upon  his  friends, 
with  observing :  "  This  is  the  order  of  the  true 
church,  that  all  may  speak  one  by  one;  and 
if  any  thing  be  revealed  to  him  that  stands  by^ 
let  the  first  hold  his  peace."  As  he  proceeded 
in  his  discourse  he  was  interrupted,  and  some 
dispute^ensued,  after  which  he  left  the  place; 
but  he  Avas  followed  by  a  justice  of  the  peace> 
who  arrested  him  in  the  name  of  the  Protector, 
and  committed  him  to  Colchester  castle.  Here 
he  was  closely  confined,  and  the  jailers  forbid- 
den to  permit  his  friends  to  visit  him. 

In  the  coOTse  of  a  few  weeks  he  was  removed 
to  Chelmsford,  to  take  his  trial  at  the  assizes 
there.  He  and  five  criminals  were  chained  to- 
gether, and  in  this  degrading  manner  was  this 
innocent  youth  led  through  the  country  above 
twenty  miles.    When  he  arrived  at  Chelmsford, 

the  prisoners  were  not  immediately  separated, 
but  continued  chained  together  night  and  day 

for  some  time. 

B  4 


ITFE   07  JAMES  PAtlN^C. 


.   When  the  assizes  came  on^  he  was  brought  into 
-court  handcuffed;  but  the  people  expressing 
their  dissatisfaction  with  this  act  of  cruelty,  he 
was  remanded  to  prison,  and  at  his  second  ap- 
pearance his  manacles  were  taken  off.     When 
he  was  on  his  trial,  the  indictment  was  read,  the 
substance  of  vi'hich  was,  that  in  a  riotous  manner 
he  entered  the  parish  church  of  Great  Cogges- 
hall;  that  he  stood  up  there,  and  told  the  minis- 
ter he  blasphemed  and  spoke  falsely;  and  that 
iie  could  not  give  a  good  account  where  he  was 
last  settled,  or  of  his  life  and  conversation,  ap- 
pearing to  be  an  idle  person.   To  this  he  pleaded 
not  guilty.    A  priest  and  two  justices  appeared 
in  evidence  against  him,  who  it  seems  were  not 
verv  correct  in  their  evidence,  and  when  James 
endeavoured  to  speak  to  the  jury  in  his  own  de- 
fence, the  judge  would  not  permit  him,  and  in 
other  respects  acted  very  improperly,  suffering 
his  accusers  to  stand  on  the  bench,  whispering 
to  him,  and  incensing  his  mind  against  the  pri- 
soner. 


The  judge  also  endeavoured  to  influence  the 
jury  in  a  very  partial  manner.  However,  when  the 
jury  gave  in  their  verdict,  they  found  him  guilty  of 
only  publishing  a  paper  which  he  had  written  in 
answer  to  his  mittimus,  and  signed  with  his  name:; 
but  of  that  part  of  the  indictment,  which  only  was 


liFE   OF   JAMES    FARNElA 


9 


punishable  by  law,  the  riotous  entrance  into  the  pa- 
rish church  (so  called)  of  Coggeshall,  they  acquitted 
liim.     He  was  indeed  so  far  from  entering  the 
place  riotously,  that  he  went  quite  alone,  having 
declined  accepting  the  company  of  a  friend  who 
offered  to  go  with  him,  -and  sending  some  children 
into  the   place  before  him,  whom  he  found  as- 
sembled about  the  door.     In  the  dispute  which 
arose,  on  James  Parners  defending  the  principles 
of  his  Friends,  he  mentioned  "  the  church  in  God.*' 
This   expression   the  priest   said   was   nonsense. 
James  proved  it  to  be  scripture  language,  and 
charged  the  priest  with  blasphemy  in  calling  it 
nonsense.    This  part  of  the  indictment  was  there- 
fore acknowledged,  as  well  as  the  paper  already 
mentioned,  and  he  defended  himself  by  saying, 
that  he  did  not  think  it  indecent  to  call  an  unjust 
judge,  unrighteous;  a  persecutor,  a  persecutor;  or 
a  deceiver,  a  deceiver. 


The  verdict  of  the  jury  Mas  not  satisfactory  to 
the  judge,  who  wished  to  have  better  authority  for 
that  severity  which  lie  was  disposed  to  exercise  ou 
the  present  occasion,  he  therefore  endeavoured  to 
draw  something  more  from  die  foreman,  in  which 
he  succeeded;  but  the  rest  of  the  jury  did  not  as- 
sent to  it.  The  judge,  however,  with  that  violent 
-iind  arbitrary  ftpirit  which  particularly  €haracterize4 
^k  lioies^  proceeded  to  give  judgjiient  agaiustihe 


10 


tIPE   OP  JAMES   PARNCL; 


MFE   OF   JAMES   PARNEU 


ai 


prisoner,  by  amercing  him  in  two  fines,  amounting 
together  to  about  forty  pounds :  one  was  imposed 
for  his  contempt  of  the  magistracy,  and  the  other 
for  that  of  the  ministry ;  for  the  judge  said  that 
the  Lord  Protector  had  charged  him  to  punish 
such  persons  as  should  contemn  either  magistracy 


or  ministry. 


James  Parnel  not  paying  the  fines  imposect, 
which  he  would  have  considered  a  confession  of 
guilt,  he  was  taken  back  to  Colchester  jail.  This 
\vas  in  an  old  castle,  supposed  to  have  been  built 
by  ihe  Romans.  The  jailer  received  orders  from 
the  judge  not  to  permit  any  giddy-headed  people, 
(meaning  his  Friends,)  to  visit  the  prisoner.  This 
cliaro^e  was  executed  with  as  much  severity  as  the 
judge  could  desire;  for  both  the  jailer  and  his  wife 
appear  to  have  been  of  a  cruel  disposition. 
The  latter  set  her  man  to  beat  her  innocent  pri- 
soner, and  sometimes  even  exercised  this  cruelty 
herself,  swearing  that  she  would  have  his  blood. 
His  victuals  were  frequently  taken  from  hixn,  and 
he  was  not  permitted  to  have  a  bed,  which  his 
friends  would  have  sent  him,  to  sleep  on ;  the  con- 
sequence of  which  was,  that  he  was  obliged  to  lie 
on  the  stones,  in  a  cold  damp  place^  on  the  ground 
floor.  . 

After  sometime  of  confinement  here,  he  was  puT 
into  a  hole  in  the  vm\l  of  the  castle;  not  so  large 


us  some  bakers  ovens^  His  ascent  to  this  was  by 
a  ladder  which  was  about  six  feet  short  of  the  hole 
he  had  to  «nter,  and  a  rope  was  fixed  to  remedy 
this  inconvenience.  By  this  ladder  and  rope  ho 
bad  to  ascend  and  descend  on  all  occasions,  nor 
would  his  cruel  keepers  permit  him  to  have  a  cord 
and  basket,  with  which  to  draw  up  his  victuals, 
though  his  friends  would  have  provided  them 
for  him.. 

Winter  was  now  approaching,  which  increased 
the  hardship  of  his  situation.  The  hole  in  which 
lie  was  confined  was  damp,  and  not  capable  of 
being  warmed  by  fire ;  the  consequence  was  that 
his  limbs  became  deprived  af  their  natural  agility, 
so  that  it  was  with  difficulty  he  could  climb  into 
Ids  hole  with  such  inconvenient  means  of  access. 
One  day  after  he  had  ascended  the  ladder,  and 
was  catching  at  the  rope,  he  missed  bis  aim  and 
fell  dowir  to  the  ground  on  the  stones.  When  first 
found  he  was  supposed  to  be  dead;  but  this  did 
not  prove  to  be  the  case.  He  was,  however,  much 
bruised  and  wounded  with  his  fall.  After  this  he 
was  put  into  a  hole  under  the  other,  there  being 
two  stories  of  these  vaulted  holes  in  the  walls  of 
the  castle.  This  hole  was  called  the  oven,  and 
timaller  than  that  in  which  he  was  first  confined. 
Here  he  recovered  in  some  degree  fix>ni  the  effects 
ef  his  fall,  and  being  desirous  oi  taking  the  air  in 


m 


1€ 


LIFB   OF   JAMES   PAHNEL. 


ifte  castle  yard,  his  cruel  keepers  would  not  per- 
mit bim.  He  was  therefore  obliged  to  confine 
himself  to  this  small  apartment,  to  which  there 
was  no  access  for  light  or  air,  but  by  die  door. 
In  this  situation  his  Iiealth  necessarily  suffered,  so 
That  his  life  was  despaired  of,  if  he  continued  in 
liis  present  confinement.  Two  of  his  friends, 
William  Talcot  and  Edward  Grant,  therefore  of- 
fered to  be  bound  in  the  sum  of  forty  pounds, 
provided  he  might  be  permitted  to-come  to  one  of 
their  housesf  till  his  recovery :  and  another  friend, 
Tliomas  Shortland,  offered  to  lie  in  prison  for 
him.  His  persecutors  were,  'however,  tinrelent- 
ing  ;  and  so  wicked  was  the  jailer,  that  once,  when 
the  door  of  his  hole  Was  open,  and  he  liad  taken 
'the  opportunity  of  going  out  und  walking  in  a 
narrow  yard  between  two  high  walls,  the  jailer 
locked  the  door  of  his  hole,  and  obliged  him  to 
.'remain  in  the  open  air  ^11  night,  in  the  coldest 
part  of  'Winter. 


These  su&enngs  were  too  gte^t  for  nature  to 

•support ;  and  after  ten  or  eleven  months  coiKfine- 

Tnent  at  Colchester,  his  youthful  constitution  sunk 

\mdcff-them.     In  his  }ast  illness^  his  mind  was 

preserved  calm  and  resigned.     To  two  frienA 

^'ho  wer6  with  him  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  he 

said:    **  Here  1  die  innocently."     And  again: 

^  This  death  I  mUst  die:  I  have  seen  great  things. 


LITE   OF   JAMES   PARNEi. 

-Do  not  hold  me,  but  let  me  go."  His  last  words 
were,  "  Now  I  go."  After  which  he  fell  asleep> 
and  in  about  an  hour  quietly  expired. 

Thus  terminated  the  life  of  this  pious  and  zea- 
lous  young   man.      Great   indeed   was   his   zeal 
against  the  hypocritical  and  persecuting  spirit  of 
the  high  professors  of  those  days.    Tliat  his  ardour 
might    sometimes   lead  him   to  use  expressions 
rather  violent  and  irritating,  I  am  induced  to  be- 
lieve from  the  perusal  of  some  of  his  writings ;  ♦ 
but  such  seems  to  have  been,  at  that  time,  the 
general  mode  of  opposing  what  was  considered 
-error ;  and  his  youth  will  be  an  apology  for  some 
excess  of  zeal.     Nothing  which  he  said  or  did, 
could  however  justify,  either  legally  or  equitably, 
the  violent  treatment  which  he  received  from  his 
enemies  and  persecutors.     His  snffieiings,  it  ap- 

•  Tbit  T  may  not  he  Ihenffit  to  make  this  observation 
liehtly,  1  give  the  following  extract :—"  Here  fpllows  tb« 
copy  of  a  Note  which  was  written  aj^ainst  the  IdoFs  Temple, 
l^hiclrwas  judged  a  contempt  of  the  Ministry.    'This  is  the 
Idol's  Temple  where  the  Worship  of  the  BeaU  it  upheld. 
Down  Ddtb  it;  Down  with  it ;'  of  the  Minister  lie  says :  *♦  This 
is  a  deceiver,  ^hO  slaifds  np  here  every  first  d%y  of  the  week 
10  deceive  the  people  :  be  isproiHl  and  covetous,  and  speaketb 
A  Divination  of  bis  own  braift,"  &c.    It  might  seem  by  the 
Urst  quotation,  that  his  design  was  to  instigate  the  people  to 
demolish  the  building;  but  no  part  of  bis  conduct  evinced  siidi 
a  disposition ;  nor  do  t  find  that  bis  eii«mie»  pat  Chit  cofiltttfc- 
•4iofi^  upoo'  bir  #ordi; 


IV 


u 


IIFE    OP   JAMES   PARNEl, 


S.XFB   OF   JAMES   PARNEt. 


15 


pears  from  various  accounts,  be  bore  with  great 
naeekiiess  and  patience;  and  these,  together  witli 
his  gospel  labours,  were  greatly  blessed,  to  the 
xonvincement  and  conversion  of  many  who  were 
witnesses  of  them. 

He  was  of  small  stature,  and  his  appearance 
altogether  seems  to  have  been  diminutive,  which 
frequently  excited  the  contempt  of  his  opponents, 
who  designated  him  by  the  name  of,  "  the  Quaking 
Boy/'  But  however  his  enemies  might  say,  that 
"  his  bodily  presence  is  weak,  and  his  speech  con- 
temptible," yet  it  appears  from  various  accounts 
of  him,  that  he  was  a  powerful  and  effectual 
Minister  of  the  Gospel;  and  at  the  same  time  a 
good  example  to  those  among  whom  he  laboured; 
his  conduct  being  adorned  with  gravity  and  hum»^ 
lity,  whilst  he  was  blameless  in  conversation  and 
unspotted  from  the  world- 

His  writings  were  collected  after  his  death,  and 
published  in  the  year  1675,  in  a  quarto  volume. 
To  this  collcctioa  are  prefixed  Testimonies  con- 
•cerning  him  from  several  Friends  who  were  con- 
vinced by  him ;  with  an  extract  from  one  of  which* 
J  shall  conclude  this  account.  "  He  was  a  true 
.Minister  and  Messenger  sent  of  God,  who  brought 
tidings  of  the  way  of  life  and  salvation  to  me  an^ 

^  Smnel  Catct,  of  FcnstantoD,  or  Littfeporh 


many  more  in  these  parts  of  the  nation.  And  this 
I  can  say  also;  as  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  call 
him  into  his  blessed  work,  so  he  furnished  him 
with  virtues  suitable  for  the  same,  according  to 
the  work  of  the  day  in  which  he  brought  him 
forth,  and  did  mightily  appear  for  him  and  with 
him,  in  giving  him  courage,  and  wisdom,  and 
power,  whereby  he  was  prepared  and  fitted  for 
every  service  and  exercise,  that  the  Lord  called 
him  unto ;  which  service  he  faithfully  performed, 
of  a  ready  mind  and  with  a  willing  heart."  This 
testimony  the  Friend  concludes  with  these  words : 
<*  Surely,  the  mighty  power  and  wisdom  of  the 
Lord  was  with  bim  of  a  truth !" 

Having  given  a  specimen  of  the  zeal  which  he 
manifested  against  those  things  and  persons  which 
he  considered  contrary  to  the  truth,  I  shall 
scarcely  do  justice  to  his  character,  without  giving 
another  specimen  of  his  writing,  by  quoting  an 
Epistle  which  he  entitled,  "  A  few  Words  to  all 
my  dear  Friends  in  and  about  the  County  of 
Essex."    See  page  291  of  his  Works. 

"  And  all  you  my  clear  friends,  you  scattered 
and  despised  ones  in  and  about  the  county  of 
Essex,  whom  the  Lord  by  his  powerful  word  is 
now  gathering  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous 
light  j  out  of  the  kingdom  of  this  world^  ioto  the 


'1^' 
^^,. 


16 


LIFE   OF   JAMEff   PABNEC* 


kingdom  of  his  dear  Son ;  whom  he  is  separating 
unto  himself,  to  walk  before  him  in  holiness,  that 
you  might  know  him  and  he  might  know  you  in 
the  light  of  his  countenance,  whose  faces  he  hath 
turned   towards  Sion,    to   seek   after  a   land  of 
rest  unto  your   weary  «ouls,   which   have    been 
itossed  to  and  fro,  from  mountain  to  hill,  in  this 
cloudy  and  dark  day,  seeking  rest  but  tiudiiig  nene; 
but  now  is  the  day  of  beauty  broken  forth  nigh 
you,  even  in  you,  yea  and  glad  tidings  is  come 
unto  your  wearied  souls,  by  which  a  pure  love  is 
begotten  in  you  to  the  everlasting  truth,  which 
hath  been  freely  declared  amongst  you  by  the 
messengers  of  the  Most  High,  who  have  reached 
the  witness  for  God  in  your  consciences,  which 
doth  seal  the  same  upon  your  hearts;  which  your 
teacher  is,  and  unto  it  yea  hearken  and  are  obedi- 
ent; in  which  light  all  stand  still  and  behold  the 
work  which  the  Lord  hath  begun  amongst  you, 
and  you  shall  have  no  cause  of  discouragement. 
Though  the  sea  doth  rise-and  the  raging  waves  do 
£well,  as  if  they  would  swallow  all  up,  yet  it  is 
limited  by  the  unlimited,  and  it-shall  but ^oam  out 
its  own  shame. 


'  ''  And  as  I  had  n  time  to  preach  the  truth  -among 
-^ou,  to  the  conviiicement  of  many,  so  also  now  J 
4iavea^  time  to  seal  the  same  with  patient -suffering 

jo'tke  bouds  of  the^aspel^  tliat  you  may  s^^iktf 


XIVE   OT  JAMES   PARNEL. 


17 


4t  is  no  other  but  tchat  W€  are  made  able  and  willing 
to  seal  tilth  fatient  suffering; yea  with  our  blood  if 
tee  be  called  to  it,  as  many  of  us  have  done,  in  thift 
nation,  though  it  be  called  a  land  of  liberty;  but 
it  is  for  iniquity,  but  truth  and  equity  are  strangers 
in  it,  and  therefore  are  persecuted.     But  you  that 
are  found  worthy  to  receive  these  strangers,  happy 
are  you ;  and  though  the  raging  Sddomites  compass 
you  about,  for  to   cause  you  to  cast  out  these 
strangers,  that  they  may  work  their  wills  upon 
them,  yet  be  faithful  and  fear  them  not,  but  cast 
out  your  darlings  before  them,  and  stand  in  the 
faith  of  the  God  of  truth  and  equity,  and  you 
shall  see  the  Sodomites  struck  with  blindness  that 
they  shall 'not  be  able  to  prevail  against  you;  but 
when  they  are  weary  with  striving,  they  shall  be 
made  to  sit  down  in  sorrow,  and  so  shall  it  be  ful- 
filled which  of  old  was  prophesied ;  that  no  taeapon 
formed  against  the  faithful  shall  prosper ;  but  teot 
mito  them  that  lift  up  their  heel  against  them. 

"  Therefore  1  charge  you  all  in  the  name  of  the 
God  of  Truth.  Be  faithful,  valiant,  and  hold  for 
the  truth  received;  and  as  you  have  received  it,  so 
walk  in  it  that  you  may  profess  no  more  in  word 
but  tchat  in  life  you  seal,  that  the  life  may  be 
preached  forth  in  your  lives,  and  shine  forth  in 
your  conversations,  to  the  glory  of  the  Father  of 
Xights,  and  the  confounding  of  the  heathen^  who 


'f. 


LIFE    OF   JAMES    PARNEt. 


profess  God  in  words,  but  in  life  deny  tiim*  mut 
he  Tcillin^  that  ielf  shall  suffer  for  the  truth,  and 
not  the  truth  for  seffi  (for  the  truth  was  ever  sealed 
with  persecution,  since  Cain V  generation  had  a 
being  upon  the  earth,)  and  so  own  the  cross  and  de* 
spise  the  shame,  and  give  up  yourselves  to  suffer  for 
the  truth  received,  all  you  that  would  follow  the 
Lamb  to  the  land  of  rest,  and  through  many  trials 
you  will  wax  strong  and  bold,  and  confident  in  your 
God;  for  God  is  not  known  what  a  God  he  is^ 
until  the  time  of  triaL 

"  And  all  keep  your  meetings  in  the  name  and  fear 
of  the  Lord  God,  waiting  for  his  power  in  the  obc" 
Hence  to 'his  light,  which  in  your  corpse  iencei  doth 
reprove  you  when  you-do  amiss,  that  in  it  you  may 
TSDait  and  zcatch  over  the  foes  that  are  of  your  oka 
house, .  that  you  may  knozo  the  warfare  begun  in 
your  hearts  against  your  spiritual  enemies ;  and  so 
the  God  of  power  manifest  himself  amongst  yoiL, 
by  his.  mighty  power  bringing  down  all  that  in  you 
which  opposes  him,  and  would  net  that  fie  should 
reign  over  it  and  exalt  his  own  seed  in  your  hearts, 
and  establish  you  in  righteousness,  that  his  image 
you.  may  bear ;  and  be.  bhali  be  your  God,  and  you 
shall  be  his  people. 


^  And  sOy  in  the  unchangeable  truCb,  I  rest  in 
unity  with  all  the  faithful^  in  the  glorious  liberty 


LIFE   OF  JAMES   FARNBt.« 


la 


of  the  toni  of  God;  though  in  outward  bond*  foi 
your  fakes. 

<'  Known  to  all  that  can  read  me  in  spirit. 

"  JAMES  PARNEL/' 


A  FEW  LINES 

Written  after  visiting  the  dungeon  at  Carlisle,  in 
which  James  Parnel  was  convinced  by  George 
Fox  ;  and  on  subsequently  reading  the  account 
of  hi»  confinement  and  death  in  the  prison  at 
Colchester. 


When  Heav'o  attracts  me  from  my  poor  estate. 

Where  chained  to  earth  mj  dull  affections  wait; 

Where  love  and  zeal,  at  best,  but  feebly  dravr, 

My  tardy  steps  to  duty's  holy  lavr, 

Thee !  righteous  Parnel  I  I  with  tears  behold, 

In  age  a  stripling,  but  in  service  old; 

I  stand  reprov'd  by  thee,  thou  youth  divine, 

A  backward  child  with  days  that  double  thine  ^ 


«) 


Iiri  OF  JAMES  BARNEIi. 


■»f!:. 


7' 


On  thy  fair  mind,  the  boundless  power  of  truth 
-Hose  strong  and  ardent,  in  thy  tebder  youth; 
And  led  thee  forward,  fearless,  without  guile. 
To  wake  the  sinful  of  this  <)arken'd  isle : 
Many  there  were,  in  those  laborious  days^ 
Who  heard  thy  word,  and  gave  thy  Master  praise^ 
But  wrathful,  £erce,  the  arm  of  power  arose, 
And  strodi  the  servant  labouring  io  his  catb«» 


CfHAPTER   in 


tIFE  OF  JOHN  CJMM. 


Jl  HIS  Friend  Avas  one  of  those  who  attended 
that  remarkable  Meeting  held  at  Firbank  Chapel, 
in  Westm,orIand,  by  George  Fox,  when  great 
numbers  were  convinced  of  our  principles,  and 
many  of  them  afterwards  became  eminent  minis- 
ters and  labourers  in  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

John  Camm  was  born  at  Camsgill,  io  the 
Barony  of 'Kendal.  His  family,  it  appears,  had 
given  name  to  the  place,  which  had  been  in  tlieir 
possession^^for  several  generations  *  He  received- 
^  good  edncation,  and  was  from  his  eliildhood  re- 
ligiously  inclined.  As  he  advanced  in  years,  he 
joined  himself  itt  society  to  such  as  were  most 

•  Tlie  word  **  gill"  some  times  signifies  a  beck  or  rivnlet 
•nd  in  this  instance  it  seems  to  have  been  so  applied,  in  con- 
Sequence  of  a  small  stream  raoniog  throagh  the  estate. 


I  A 


s« 


LIVE   OF   JOHN   CAMM. 


Strict  in  the  observance  of  religious  duties,  and 
most  exemplary  in  their  conduct.  He  and  several 
others  liad  separated  themselves  from  the  natK)iial 
way  of  worship,  and  met  together  for  religious 
improvement,  and  the  performance  of  divine  wor- 
ship. They  had  not,  however,  found  what  their 
souls  were  satisfied  with,  but  were  prepared  to 
receive  further  manifestations  of  the  -way  of  life 
and  salvation.  George  Fox  was  tire  means  of 
opening  this  to  theui ;  and  the  subject  of  the  pre- 
sent Memoir  appears  to  have  received  the  testi- 
mony which  was  borne  by  that  able  minister,  mih 
greater  readiness  than  some  others,  who  did  not 
accept  it  till  after  close  examination  xmd  much 
debate* 

Being  a  man  of  considerable  property  and  good 
abilities,  -he  was  rising  in  the  world,  which,  accord- 
ing to  the  account  given  by  his  son,  "  seemed  to 
smile  upon  him,  and  the  riches  and  glory  of  it 
had  exceedingly  increased,  and  were  Ihen  likely  to 
increase  more."  Yet  all  these  things  became 
light  in  bis  estimation,  when  placed  in  competition 
with  obtaining  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and 
that  fadeth  not  away;  and  he  readily  resigned  all 
for  Christ's  sake,  being  willing  to  follow  him 
through  much  contempt  and  many  tribulations. 

After  undergoing  much  secret  exercise  of  mind, 
he  became  prepared  for  the  put^lic  service  of  the 


LIFE  t)F  JOtiN   CAMkf. 


121 


«ri»isery,  in  which  capacity  he  travelled  in  iht 
Kordiern  Counties  of  England,  as  far  as  ^he  bor- 
<leP8  of 'Scotland.  After  his  return  from  this 
jouiBey,  .be  was  engaged  to  visit  some  of  the 
Southern  parts  of  the  nation,  in  which  he  was 
accompanied  by  Francis  Howgill ;  and  it  appears 
that  these  two  Friends  w«rc  the  first  who  preached 
and  published  the  doctrines  -of  our  Society  in 
London;  butihe  principal  object t>f  this  journey 
-'was,"  to  declare  the  message  of  the  Lord  to  Oliver 
Cromwell,  then  called  Protector." 


They  not  ofily  paid  him  a  personal  •  visit,  birt 
John  Camm  also  wrote  to  him.  The  Epistle  be- 
>gins  thus :  "  On  the  last  day  of  the  first  month 
•called  March,*  about  two  o'clock  in  the  mornin*^. 
1  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  write  these  ensuing 
Jines,  and  to  lay  before  thee  the  cause  of  our 
-coming  liilher  to  London.  .Friend,  we  came  not 
to  thee  to  petition  any  thing  Jrom  tliee  in  the  out- 
ward, but  in  the  tender  bowels  of  love  to  exhort 
thee  to  mind  thy.  own  condition,  how  thou  stand- 
est  in  relation  to  ahe.  Lord  God  of  heaven. and 
icarlh,  who  is^  powerful,  and  pure,,  and  holy ;  who 
will  not.  acquit  the  wicked,  but  will  wound  the 
Jiairy  scalp  of  him  who  goes  on  in  iniquity;  before 

•  The  year  U  not  njenlioned,  but  I  sq^ose  it  U  be  I65f. 
^od,  that  he  U  f i  home  io  1 633. 


h 


d4 


IIFE   OF  JOHN    CAMSTv 


n 


i 


whose  presence  all  stand  naked  and  bare;  who 
knows  and  sees  all  the  secrets  o£  thy  heart ;  thy 
outgoings  and  incomings;  to  whom  thou  must  give 
account  of  all  things  done  in  the  body,  whether 
they  be  good  or  evil.  Therefore,  in  love  to  thy 
soul,  were  we  moved  to  come  to  exhort  tliee  to  stand 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  in  his  counsel,  and  to 
mind  the  light  in  thj  conscience,  which  is  pure 
and  of  God  to  guide  thee  in  the  great  afifairs  of 
the  nations/' 


Part  of  the  object  of  this  Epistle  appears  to 
have  been  to  caution  the  Protector  against  coun- 
tenancing any  oppression  or  suffering  for  religion. 
In  tlneir  personal  visit  they  had  intimated  to  him  how 
he  might  be  made  instrumental  in  establishing  the 
gospel,  which  it  seems  the  Protector  supposed 
they  meant  to  be  done  by  law.  Iliis  mistake  is 
therefore  rectified,  in  a  manner  which  deserves 
transcribing,  for  the  justness  of  the  sentiment 
'which  it  contains  :  **  Thou  appreheudedst  us  that 
this  should  be  established  by  an  outward  law. 
That  was  not  our  desire,  we  spoke  no  such 
things  but  we  witness  the  coming  of  Christ  in  his 
kingdom  is  not  by  might,  nor  power,  nor  pomp, 
nor  glory  from  without,  nor  by  any  law  which  is  in 
the  will  of  man ;  but  our  desires  were  that  there 
should  be  no  iaw  upon  religipn,  for  it  needs  no 
law  to  defend  it,"     This  Epistle  concludes  tliuK 


LIFE    OF    JOHxN    CAMM. 


2d 


"  Take  heed ;  for  he  that  is  in  high  places  is  subject 
to  many  temptations." 


Soon  after  John  Camm*s  return  from  this  jour^ 
ney,  he  again  travelled  Southward,  accompanied, 
at  setting  out,  by  four  of  his  neigiibours,  viz.  John 
Audland,    Francis    Uowgill,    Edward    Burrouoh. 
and    Richard    Hubbertliorn.       He    and    Edward 
Burrough  went  tlirough  the  Midland  Counties  to 
London,   where  the  others,  who  had  taken  a  dif- 
ferent course,  met  them.    Several  other  labourers 
in  the  same  cause,  were  at  this  time  in  the  Metro- 
polis, and  gr^at  success  attended  their  united  en- 
deavours.    After   some    time,   John   Canim   and 
John  Audland  found  their  minds  drawn  towards 
Bristol,  where  "  a  great  door  and  effectual"   was 
opened    unto   them,    and    many   hundreds   were, 
through  their  instrumentality,  turned  to  God  and 
Christ,  and   to  die  inward  manifestations  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  iu  dieir  hearts. 

Among  the  fruits  of  their  ministrv,  were  Josiah 
Cole,  George  Bishop,  Ciiarles  Marshall,  and 
Barbara  Blaugdon.  But  whilst  many  of  the  peo- 
ple received  them  gladly,  the  priests  were  much 
disturbed  with  the  success  of  their  ministry,  and 
incited  first  a  mob,  and  afterwards  the  magistrates, 
against  them.  Tlie  former  was  indeed  very  tu- 
multuous, endangering   the   lives   of   these   two 

c 


\ 


as^ 


4^FE    OP    JOHN    CAMM. 


JLIFE    OF   JOHN    CAMM. 


sr 


friends;  and  the  latter  issued  a  warrant  for  theii 

^«ppre.heiisijDn  ;  but  they  had  left  the  city,  and  there- 

.  fore  i^  had  uo  effect,    it  appears  most  probable  that 

-they  returned  h<?mesoo4i  after  leaving  Bristol,  as 

.1  iind  them  ^t  l:i43reford  on  the  25th  of  the  7th 

jnonth,  iQb^f  and  Joseph  lie^se  states  their  being 

^^at  Bristol  in  t|iat  mouth. 

r  do  not  meet  with  any  account  of  John  Gamm 
-from  this  time  until  the  year  1 6o6,  except  that 
from  the  date  of  a  letter  to  Friends  in  Bristol,  it 
appears  he  was  at  home,  at  Preston  Patrick,  in 
Westmorland,  tlic  20th  of  the  2d  month,  1655. 
In  the  year  1656,  he  and  J-ohn  Audland  again 
visited  Bristol ;  and  after  their  return  from  this  jour- 
ney, it  is  likely  that  great  and  increasing  infirmities 
confined  John  Camm  to  his  home  and  its  neigh- 
bourhood. He  was  of  a  -weak  constitution  and 
consumptive  habit,  and  the  exercise  which  iie  had 
undergone,  in  the  large  meetings  at  ^Bristol  and 
other  places,  miany  of  which  were  in  the  open  air, 
^lad  no  doubt  increased  his  weakness.  He  had, 
indeed,  always  travelled  with  great  infirmities,  fre- 
•quently  taking  his  son  Thomas  in  company,  to 
/wait  upon  him;  but  bis  bodily  disorders  now 
frapidly  increased,  under  which  his  mind  was, 
.hoM'ever, .  preserved  in  much  patience  and  re* 
^jgnatipn. 


I)uring  the  time  of  his  illness  he  frequently 
called  his  family  together,  giving  them  much  reli- 
gious advice,  and  otten  praying  for  them.  His 
miud  was  «ot  only  resigned  to  his  situation,  but 
he  had  also  learned  the  apostolic  lesson :  "  In 
every  thing  give  thanks,"  as  appears  from  the  fol- 
lowing expressions  which  he  uttered :  "  How 
great  a  benefit  do  I  enjoy  beyond  many,  having 
such  a  large  time  of  preparation  for  death;  being 
dying  daily,  that  I  may  live  for  ev€r  with  my  God, 
in  that  kingdom  that  is  unspeakably  full  of  glory. 
My  outward  man  daily  wastes  and  moulders 
down,  and  draws  towards  its  place  and  centre; 
but  my  inward  man  revives  and  mounts  upward 
towards  its  place  and  habitation  in  the  heavens.*' 

On  the  day  of  his  decease,  he  called  his  wife 
and  family  together,  and  after  giving  them  much 
advice,  he  fainted,  and  to  appearance  passed 
quietly  away  in  a  sweet  sleep.  I'his  occasioned 
such  a  sorrow  and  weeping,  that  the  noise  awok-e 
him  ;  and,  desiring  to  be  raised  in  his  bed,  he  ad- 
dressed his  family  to  this  import :  "  My  dear 
hearts,  you  have  wronged  me  and  disturbed  me, 
for  I  was  at  sweet  rest.  You  should  not  so  pas- 
sionately sorrow  for  my  departure.  This  house  of 
-eardi  and  clay  must  go  to  its  place;  but  this  soul 
and  spirit  is  to  be  gathered  up  to  the  Lord,  to 

r    O 

1^    —I 


H 


£8 


LIFE   OF  JOHN   CAMM. 


live  with  him  for  ever,  and  where  we  shall  meet 
with  everlasting  joy," 

After  these  expressions,  he  again  took  leave  of 
them,  and  quietly  expired  in  the  llth  month,  l65dy 
in  the  62d  year  of  his  age. 


CUAPTEIl   111. 


LIFE  OF  WILLIAM  ROBINSON. 


I  AM  now  brought,  in  the  course  of  my  work^ 
to  notice  several  Friends  who  suffered  death  for 
their  religious  opinions,  in  New  England,  by  the 
Episcopalians ;  and  in  order  to  give  the  reader  aa 
idea  of  the  circumstances  under  which  they  suf- 
fered, it  may  be  proper  to  prefix  some  informa- 
tion, extracted  from  Joseph  Besse*s  Account  of 
Friends'  Sufferings.  *'  In  that  province,"  he  ob- 
serves, "  were  sitting  at  the  hehn  of  government, 
a  set  of  men,  making  high  pretensions  to  religion, 
and  such  as  had  loudly  cried  against  the  tyranny 
and  oppression  of  the  bishops  in  Old  England, 
from  whom  tliey  had  fled ;  professing  themselves, 
'pious  and  peaceable  Protestants,  driven  by  se- 
venty to  leave  their  native  country,  and  seek  a 
refuge  for  their  lives  and  liberties,  with  freedom 
for  the  worship  of  God,  in  a  wilderness,  in  the 

c  3 


ff* 


30 


LIFE   OF  "WILLVAM   ROBINSON, 


IIFE.  OF   WILLI A>r  ROBINSON. 


31 


cuds  of  the  earth.'    Yet  when  invested  with  power, 
we  find  them  exercising  a  cruel  dominion  over  the 
faith  and  consciences  of  others;  in  which  they  ap- 
pear to  us  not  so  inconsistent  with  themselves  as 
some  have  thought :  because,  when,  under  oppres- 
sion, they  pleaded  for  liberty  of  conscience,  they 
understood  it  not  as  the  natural  and  common  right 
of  ail  mankind,  but  as  a  peculiar  privilege  of  the 
orthodox.     They   had   long   before   any   of  the 
Quakers  came  thither,  viz.  in  the  year  1646,  made 
a  law  or  order  for  uniformity  in  religion,  by  im- 
posing a  penalty  of  five  shillings  per  week,  on 
such  as  came  not  to  hear  the  established  ministers. 
Thus   they  early  began   to   intrench   themselves 
against  any  further  discoveries  of  truth  and  religion, 
by  a  penal  law;  and  as  to  the  Quakers,  they  had 
received  an  unreasonable  prejudice  against  them, 
as  appears  by  their  rigid  treatment  of  the  first  of 
Xhem  who  came  into  that  country."  Vol.  2,  p.  177. 

The  preceding  passage  shows  the  persecuting 
disposition  of  these  emigrants,  who  themselves 
fled  from  persecution.  Finding  that  the  people 
called  Quakers  were  likely  to  visit  them  either  in 
their  commercial  or  religious  concerns,  they  made 
severe  laws  against  them,  punishing  those  who 
came  among  them,  with  cutting  off  first  one  ear, 
then  in  case  of  repetition,  the  other,  and  for  a 
third  oflfeuce  boring  the  tongue  with  a  hot  iron. 


i 


And  when  they  found  these  punishments  insuffi- 
cient, with  several  cruel  additions,  they  at  length 
made  a  law  for  inflicting  the  punishment  of  death 
on  all  those^v\4i6  had  been  banished  from  them. 
This  punislunent-wa*  actually  executed  on  threo^ 
men  and  one-woman^  who  came  in  gospel  love  to 
visit  them,  and  to  warn  them- of  the  evil  of  their 
ways;  pjirticulai:ly.in  indulging,  a  spirit  of  perse- 
cution, contrary  to  the  ))recepts  of  Chri&t  Jesus, 
our  common  Lord  and  Saviour^ 

William  Robinson,  the  first  of  these  sufFerera,' 
was  a  merchant  in  the  city  of  London,  of  whom  I 
find  very  little  account ;  but  it  appears  that  he  left 
his  own  home  to  pay  a  religious  visit  to  the  new 
settlers  in  America,  about  the- year  \659» 

In  the  course  of  his  journey,  he  came  to  Rhod9  ^ 
Island;  and  when  travelling,  there,  he  found  his 
mind  drawn  to  go  to  Boston  in  New  England, 
where,  as  is  already  noticed,  a  law  had  been  made 
to  banish  all  Quakers,  not  inhabitants,  from  the 
jurisdiction  of  that  place,  and  making  non-com* 
pliance,  or  returning  after  complying,  punishable 
with  death.  Marmaduke  Stevenson  had  accom^ 
pauied  William  Robinson  to  Boston,  and  Mary 
Dyer  was  already  there,  also  one  Nicholas  Davis. 
These  four  were  summoned  before  the  Court  of 
Assistants,  from  whom  they  received  sentence^oC 

c  4 


as 


LIFE    OV    WILLIAM    UOBINSOX. 


l,IFE   OF   WILLIAM   ROBINSON. 


35 


■n 


i 


bunishment.  This  however  was  not  thought  to  be 
sufficient  punishment  for  William  Robinson,  who 
being  considered  a  teacher,  and  a  principal,  was 
also  sentenced  to  be  whipped.  The  sentence 
was  executed  upon  him,  by  putting  his  hands 
through  the  holes  of  a  great  gun,  to  which  the 
jailer  held  him  fast,  while  the  executioner  in- 
tiicted  upon  him  twenty  stripes  with  a  threefold 
corded  whip. 

Robinson  and  Stevenson  left  the  town  of  Bos- 
ton;  but  not  finding  their  minds  clear  of  that 
religious  service  which  induced  them  to  come 
there,  they  remained  within  its  jurisdiction,  and 
visited  their  Friends  in  and  about  Salem.  It  was 
not  long,  however,  before  they  were  again  taken 
up  and  imprisoned ;  as  was  also  Mary  Dyer,  \iho, 
though  she  had  left  the  State,  found  her  mind 
drawn  to  return  there,  to  testify  against  their  un- 
righteous laws.  After  some  time  of  confinement, 
they  were  brought  into  court,  where  John  Endicot, 
the  governor,  presided ;  and  who,  without  any  pre- 
fatory proceedings,  immediately  passed  sentence 
of  death  upon  them,  in  these  words  :  "  We  have 
made  many  laws,  and  endeavoured  by  several  ways  to 
keep  you  from  us;  and  neither  whippings,  nor  im- 
prisoning, nor  cutting  off  ears,  nor  banishing  upon 
pain  of  death,  would  keep  you  from  amongst  us. 
I  desire  not  your  deaths.     Give  ear  and  hearken 


to  your  sentence."  Here  W'illiam  Robinson  in- 
terrupted him,  and  desired  liberty  to  read  a  paper^ 
showing  the  reason  why  he  had  not  departed  from 
that  jurisdiction.  This  reasonable  request,  how- 
ever, was  refused,  and  the  sentence  was  proceeded 
with  in  these  words  :  *'  You  shall  be  had  back  to 
the  place  from  whence  you  came,  and  from  thence 
to  the  place  of  execution,  to  be  hanged  on  the 
gallows  till  you  are  dead." 

The  sentence  was  then  passed  on  the  other 
two  Friends,  who  seeing  it  was  in  vain  to  attempt 
to  speak,  did  not  offer  to  make  any  defence,  though 
Endicot  pretended  to  give  liberty  to  Stevenson, 
who,  afier  sentence  was  passed,  warned  them  of 
thejudgments  which  would  come  upon  them,  if  they 
put  their  wicked  sentence  in  execution,  and  thus 
made  themselves  guilty  of  shedding  innocent  blood. 

These  transactions  took  place  on  the  20th  of 
October,  1659,  and  the  execution  of  those  vir- 
tuous and  pious  sufferers,  was  fixed  for  the  27th 
of  the  same.  On  th^  afternoon,  the  prisoners 
Were  taken  to  the  place  of  execution,  guarded  by 
about  two  hundred  armed  men.  In  the  proces- 
sion, drummers  were  placed  immediately  before 
the  condemned  persons,  and  when  any  of  them  at- 
tempted to  speak,  the  drums  were  beaten  to  pre- 
vent their  being  heard.    Thus  did  these  high  pro- 

C  $ 


54 


LIFE   OP   WILLIAM    HOBINSON. 


fessors  of  religion,  and  pretended  lovers  of  liberty, 
manifest  their  want  of  the  most  essential  qualities 
bf  both,  in  their  conduct  on  this  occasion. 

During  the  procession,  William  Robinson  said, 
"  This  is  your  hour,  and  the  power  of  darkness :" 
but  the  drums  beating  immediately,   he  did  not 
proceed.     When  they  came  to  the  gallows,  John 
Wilson,  a  priest,  of  Boston,  attended  them.     It 
might  be  supposed  that  on  this  occasion,  if  he 
could  not  afford  them  any  religious  consolation, 
he  would  at  least  have  administered  some  eihor- 
tation,  tending  to  prepare  them  for  the  awful  cir- 
cumstance about  to  take  place ;   but  instead  of 
this,   he  insulted  them  with  this  low  language : 
*'  Shall  such  jacks  as  you  come  in  before  authority 
Avith  your  hats  on  r"    This  occasioned  William 
Jiobinson  to  say  to  the    people:   "  Mind  you, 
mind  you ;  it  is  for  not  putting  off  the  hat  we  are 
put  to  death."     When  he  was  on  the  ladder,  he 
ihus  addressed  the  people :  "  We  suffer,  not  as 
evil  doers,  but  as  those  who  have  testified  and 
manifested  the  truth.   This  is  the  day  of  your  visi- 
tation,  and  therefore  I  desire  you  to  mind  the 
Light  of  Christ,  which  is  in  you,  to  which  I  have 
l)orne  testimony,  and  am  now  going  to  seal  my 
testimony  with  my  blood." 

The  unfeeling  priest  here  interrupted  him,  with 
saying;  "  Hold  thy  tongue,  be  silent j  thou  arl 


LIFE   OF   WILLIAM   IIOBINSON. 


3$ 


going  to  die  with  a  lie  in  thy  mou^h.'*  After  this, 
the  rope  was  put  about  William  Robinson's  neck, 
when  he  said,  "  Now  ye  are  made  manifest  ;*^  and 
being  about  to  be  turned  off,  he  thus  expressed 
himself:  "  I  suffer  for  Christ,  in  whom  I  live,  and 
forw^om  I  die."  After  this,  Marmaduke  Steven- 
son was  executed,  and  Mary  Dyer  was  reprieved,- 

But  the  malice  of  these  wicked  religionists,  was 
not  fully  satisfied  with  taking  away  the*  lives  of 
these  innocent  sufferers ;  the  dead  bodies  must  also 
partake  of  their  ill-founded  revenge.     When  they 
had  hung  the  usual  time,   they  were  cut  down 
without  any  one     holding   them,    and   William 
Robinson's  skull  was  fractured  by  the  faH.     Thfe 
bodies  were  afterwards  stripped  naked,  and'  then 
rolled  into  a  hole^  in  which  they  were*  left  un- 
covered; and  when  some  of  tlieir '  friends  would 
have  provided  coffins,  and  given  them  a  decent 
burial,  they  were  not  permitted,  nor  even  suffered 
to  inclose  the  place  with  pales,  for  want  of  which 
the  wild  beasts  might  have  devoured  the  d^ad, 
had  not  the  pit  been  quickly  filled  with  water.  Tb 
complete  this  infamous  business,  this  priest  already 
mentioned  gave  vent  to  his  unchristian  disposition 
siill  further,    by  composing    a   Song  on   these 
martyrs  for  the  support  of  a  good  conscience,  and 
their  faithful  testimony  against  this  hypocritical 
Jind  blood-thirsty  people. 


S6 


LIFE   OF   WILLIAM    ROBINSON. 


Four  days  before  his  martyrdom,  William  Ho- 
binson  wrote  a  short  epistle  which  he  directed 
"  To  the  Lord's  People." — It  manifests  so  fully 
the  heavenly  state  of  his  mind,  his  love  to  his 
friends,  and  his  complete  resignation  to  the  suf- 
ferings permitted  to  befal  him,  that  I  cannot  close 
this  account  better  than  by  giving  it  to  the  reader. 
It  is  as  follows :— 

*'  The  streams  of  my  Father*s  love  run  d^ily 
through  me,  from  the  Holy  Fvuntain  of  Life,  to 
the  seed  throughout  the  whole  creation.  I  am 
overcome  with  love,  for  it  is  my  life  and  length  of 
iny  days ;  it  is  my  glory  and  my  daily  strength.  I  am 
swallowed  up  with  love;  in  love  1  live,  and  with 
it  I  am  overcome;  and  in  it  1  dwell  with  the  Holy 
Seed,  to  which  the  blessing  of  love  is  given  from 
God,  who  is  love ;  who  hath  shed  it  abroad  in  my 
heart,  which  daily  fills  me  with  living  joy  from  the 
life  from  whence  it  comes. 


"  Ye  children  of  the  living  God !  feel  me  when 
you  are  waiting  in  it ;  when  your  hearts  and  minds 
are  gathered  into  it ;  when,  in  the  strength  of  it 
you  are  travailing ;  feel  me  when  it  runs  from  the 
fountain  into  your  vessel;  when  it  issues  gently 
like  new  wine  into  your  bosoms ;  when  the  strength 
and  power  of  it  you  feel :  when  you  are  overcome 
wiih  strength  of  lo^e,  which  is  God;  then  feel 


IIFE   OP  WILLIAM   ROBINSOK. 


Sf 


me  present  in  the  fountain  of  love,  wherein  are 
many  mansions.  You  children  of  the  Lord!  feel 
me  wrapt  up  with  you  in  the  pure  love,  which 
destroys  the  love  which  is  in  enmity  with  God, 
which  warreth  against  the  seed  that  proceedeth 
from  the  Father  of  Love,  the  God  of  Truth. 
Let  nothing  separate  you  from  this  love,  which  is 
my  life;  neither  words  nor  thoughts,  nor  any  thing 
else,  enter  betwixt,  which  is  contrary  to  it,  for  it 
will  stain  the  place  of  its  abode.  So  dear  children^ 
who  are  begotten  by  love  into  the  covenant  of  life 
and  love,  keep  daily  in  it.  This  is  the  portion 
that  God  hath  given  to  his  children  to  continue  in 
his  love,  which  is  the  life  of  the  seed,  which  is 
raised  by  the  power  of  the  endless  love  of  God  in 
the  creature. 


"  I  am  full  of  the  quickening  power  of  the  Lord 
Jesug  Christ,  and  my  lamp  is  filled  with  pure  oil, 
so  that  it  gives  a  clear  light  and  pleasant  smell ; 
and  I  shall  enter  with  my  beloved  into  eternal 
rest  and  peace,  wherein  I  am  swallowed  up;  with 
the  life  of  it  I  am  filled;  and  in  it  I  shall  depart 
with  everlasting  joy  in  my  heart,  and  praises  in 
my  mouth,  singing  hallelujah  unto  the  Lord,  who 
hath  redeemed  me  by  his  hvuig  power  from  amon<7st 
kindreds,  tongues,  and  nations.  And  now  the  day 
of  my  departure  draweth  near,  /  have  fought  a 
good  fight',  1  have  ke^t  the  hoi  i/ faith  j  1  have  near 


t 


S6 


LIFE   OF   WILLIAM   ROBINSON* 


Jinished  my  course ;  my  travailing  is  near  at  an  end^ 
my  testimony  is  near  to  be  finished^  and  an  eteiv 
Bal  crown  is  laid  up  for  me,  and  all  whose  feet 
are  shod  with  righteousness  and  the  preparation 
of  peace,  even  such  whose  names  are  written  in 
the  book  of  life,  wherein  I  live  and  rejoice  with 
all  the  faithful  seed  for  evermore. 

"  Written  by  a  servant  of  Jesus  Christ. 

^  WILLIAM  ROBINSON;^ 


.•ii 


CHAPTER   IV. 


LIFE  OF  MJRMADUKE  STEVENSON. 


This  fellow-sufferer  with  William  Robinson^ 
lived  at  Shipton,  near  M arket-Weighton,  in  York- 
shire. The  earliest  account  I  find  of  him,  is 
contained  in  a  paper  which  he  published  at  Boston 
after  sentence  of  death  had  been  pronounced  upoa 
him.  It  begins  thus :  "  In  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1655,  I  was  at  plough  in  the  east  part  of 
Yorkshire,  in  Old  England,  near  the  place  where 
my  outward  being  was ;  and  as  I  walked  after  the 
plough,  I  was  filled  with  the  love  and  presence  of 
the  living  God,  which  did  ravish  my  heart  when  I 
felt  it,  for  it  did  increase  and  abound  in  me  like  a 
living  stream :  [yea]  so  did  the  life  and  love  of 
God  run  through  me,  like  precious  ointment  giving 
a  pleasant  smell,  which  made  me  to  stand  still. 
And  as  I  stood  a  little  stilly  with  my  heart  and 
mind  stayed  upon  the  Lord^  the  word  of  the  Lord 


40       LIFE   OF   MARMADUKE   STEVENSON. 

came  to  me  in  a  still  small  voice,  which  I  did  hear 
perfectly,  saying  to  me,  in  the  secret  of  my  heart 
and  conscience :  "  I  have  ordained  thee  a  prophet 
unto  the  nations ;"  and  at  the  hearing  of  the  word  of 
the  Lord  1  was  put  to  a  stand,  seeing  that  I  was  but 
a  child,  for  such  a  weighty  matter.  So  at  the  time 
appointed,  Barbadoes  was  set  before  me,  unto 
which  1  was  required  of  the  Lord  to  go,  and  leave 
luy  dear  and  loving  wife  and  tender  children  ;  for 
the  Lord  said  unto  me,  immediately  by  his  Spirit, 
that  he  would  be  as  an  husband  to  my  wife,  and 
as  a  father  to  my  children,  and  they  should  not 
^vant  in  my  absence,  for  he  would  provide  for 
them  when  I  was  gone." 


Notwithstanding  these  prospects,  he  remained 
imder  the  exercise  about  three  years,  not  sailing 
for  Barbadoes  till  the  fourth  month,  J  658.  While 
he  was  on  this  island,  he  was  informed  of  the  law 
made  in  New  England,  for  putting  Friends  to 
death  who  returned  after  banishment.  On  hear- 
ing of  this  law,  his  mind  felt  a  secret  attraction 
that  way ;  and  after  he  had  finished  his  services  in 
Barbadoes,  he  sailed  for  Rhode  Island,  where  he 
visited  his  Friends  in  the  love  of  the  gospel. 
Here,  as  he  relates  it,  *'  the  word  of  the  Lord 
came  to  me,  saying,  Go  to  Boston  with  thy  brother 
William  Kobinson."  With  this  intimation  of  duty 
lie  complied  j  the  result  of  which  being  already 


LIFE    OF    MARMADUKE    STEVENSON.        4l 

related  in  the  account  of  William  Robinson,  it 
would  be  superfluous  to  repeat  it.  After  his  com- 
panion had  suffered,  Marmaduke  Stevenson  step- 
ped up  the  ladder,  and  expressed  himself  thus  to 
the  surrounding  multitude:  "  Be  it  known  unto 
all,  this  day,  that  we  suffer,  not  as  evil  doers,  but 
for  conscience  sake."  And  when  he  was  about  to 
be  turned  off,  he  said :  '^  This  day  shall  I  be  at 
rest  with  the  Lord." 

During  his  confinement,  he  not  only  wrote  the 
paper,  from  which  an  extract  is  already  made,  but 
also  a  long  Address  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Shipton, 
W^eighton,  and  elsewhere,  which  is  entitled,  "  A 
Call  from  Death  to  Life,  and  out  of  the  dark  Ways 
and  Worships  of  the  World,  where  the  Seed  is 
held  in  Bondage  under  the  Merchants  of  Babylon." 
He,  as  well  as  his  fellow-sufferer,  wrote  a  letter 
directed  "  To  the  Lord's  People,-"  which  showing 
the  state  of  his  mind  when  the  prospect  of  death, 
by  the  hand  of  an  executioner  was  before  him,  it 
may  be  proper  to  insert  a  part  of  it  here;  viz. 


"  Oh  !  my  dear  and  well  beloved  ones,  who  are 
sealed  with  me  in  the  holy  covenant  of  our  Father's 
love,  my  love  and  life  runs  out  to  you  all  who  are 
chosen  of  God  and  faithful ;  for  you  are  dear  unto 
me,  the  Lord  knows  it,  and  are  as  seals  upon  my 
breast.     You   lambs  of  my  Father's  fold,   and 


w' 


4^       LIFE    OF    MA.RMADUKE    STEVENSON* 

sheep  of  his  pasture,  the  remembrance  of  you  i» 
precious  to  me,  my  dearly  beloved  ones,  who  are 
of  the  holy  seed,  and  bea^  the  right  image,  which 
springs  from  the  true  vine  and  offspring  of  David^ 
and  stock  of  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful, 
and  the  redeemed  ones,  who  are^  reconciled  to 
God  and  one  to  another,  in  that  which  sea  and 
land  cannot  separate  ;.  where  you  may  feel  me 
knit  and  joined  to  you,  in  thfr  spirit  of  truth,  and 
linked  to  you  as  members  of  his  body ;  who  is  our 
head  and  rock  of  sure  defence,  for  us  to  fly  unto; 
where  we  are  kept  safe  in  the  hour  of  temptation; 
and  in  the  day  of  trial  shall  we  be  preserved  in  the 
hollow  of  his  hand ;  where  his  banner  of  love  will 
be  over  us,  to  compass  us  about ;  where  we  shall 
have  recourse  to  the  living  springs,  which  rome 
from  the  pure  fountain  and  well-spring  of  life, 
which  issues  forth  abundantly  to  refresh  the  hun- 
gry and  stiengjthen  the  feeble  minded;  where  you 
may  feel  me,  my  beloved  ones,  m  the  green  pas- 
tures, among  the  lilies  of  the  pleasant  springs, 
w  here  our  souls  are  bathed  and  refreshed  together, 
with  the  overcomings  of  God's  love,  and  the  virtue 
of  his  presence,  which  is  as  precious  oiniment 
poured  forth,  giving  a  pleasant  smell. 

"  So  my  dear  Friends!  let  us  always  wait  at  the 
altar  of  the  Lord,  to  see  the  table  spread ;  that  so 
we  may  sit  down  and  eat  together,  and  be  ra- 


>? 


1.1FE   OF   MARMADUKE   STEVENSON.       43 

freshed  with  the  hidden  manna,  and  living  food  of 
life,  that  comes  from  Him  who  is  our  life,  our 
peace,  our  strength,  and  our  Preserver  night  and 
day.  O !  my  beloved  ones !  let  us  all  go  on  in  his 
strength,  who  is  our  Prince  and  Saviour,  that  his 
image  we  may  bear,  who  is  meek  and  lowly  in 
heart,  and  mind  the  true  and  sure  foundation  of 
many  generations,  the  chief  Corner  Stone,  elect  and 
precious;  the  Rock  of  Ages  on  which  the  Saints  were 
built ;  and  if  we  all  abide  thereon,  we  shall  never 
be  moved,  but  stand  for  ever  as  trees  of  righteous- 
ness, rooted  and  grounded  in  Him,  who  will  be 
with  us  in  all  our  trials  and  temptations  which 
we  may  pieet  withall ;  and  here  will  the  Lord  our 
God  be  honoured  by  us  all  that  are  faithful  unto 
death :  we  shall  assuredly  have  a  crown  of  life 
which  will  never  be  taken  from  us. 

"  Oh !  my  beloved  ones,  what  shall  I  say  unto  you, 
who  drink  with  me  at  the  living  fountain,  where 
we  are  nourished  and  brought  up  as  twins,  at  the 
breasts  of  consolation ;  where  I  do  embrace  you  in 
the  bond  of  peace  which  never  will  be  broken. 
O !  feel  me  and  read  me  in  your  hearts  ;  for  I  am 
filled  with  love  when  I  think  upon  you,  and  broken 
into  tears ;  for  the  remembrance  of  you  doth  re- 
fresh my  sonl,  which  makes  me  often  to  think 
upon  you,  and  have  you  in  remembrance,  you 
jewels  of  my  Father,  void  frst  fruits  of  his  increase. 


44       LIFE   OF   MARMADUKE    STEVENSON. 


If  I  forget  you,  then  let  the  Lord  forget  me.  Nay, 
verily,  you  cannot  be  forgotten  by  me  :  so  long  as 
I  abide  in  the  vine^  1  am  a  branch  of  the  same 
nature  with  you,  ivhich  springs  from  the  same 
nature  which  the  Lord  hath  blessed,  where  we  do 
grow  together  in  his  life  and  image,  as  members 
of  his  body ;  where  wc  shall  live  together  to  all 
eternity,  and  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  rest  and 
peace,  with  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  to  sing 
the  songs  of  deliverance  to  the  Most  High  that 
sits  on  the  throne,  who  alone  is  worthy  of  all 
honour  and  living  praise,  to  whom  it  is  due  now 
dud  for  ever.    Amen.'* 


CHAPTER   v. 


ZIFE  OF  MARY  DYER. 


Concerning  Mary  Dyer,  whose  reprieve 
has  been  already  noticed,  I  find  but  little  account 
except  what  relates  to  her  sufferings  at  Boston. 

She  was  a  married  woman,  and  lived  in  Rhode 
Island,  where  she  bore  an  excellent  character. 
She  was  the  mother  of  several  children,  and  her 
husband  was  a  man  of  reputation  and  respecta'^ 
bihty;  but  not  of  the  8am«  religious  persuasion. 
After  her  companions  had  received  the  judgment 
of  the  court,  sentence  of  death  was  also  passed  on 
her,  to  which  she  replied:  "  The  will  of  the  Lord 
be  done."  Endicot  then  ordered  the  marshal  to 
take  her  away  to  the  prison,  when  she  said : 
*'  Yea,  joyfully  I  go;"  and  in  her  way  there,  she  was 
engaged  in  uttering  praises  to  God.  She  was  in- 
deed full  of  joy  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  told  the 
marshal  that  he  might  let  her  alone,  for  she  would 
^  to  prbon  without  him;  to  which  he  replied: 


f 


46 


LIFE    OF    MARY    DYER. 


*'  I  believe  you,  Mrs.  Dyer;  but  I  must  do  what 
I  am  commanded/'  Whilst  in  prison,  she  wrote 
to  the  General  Court  in  Boston,  remonstratins 
closely  with  them  on  the  subject  of  their  bloody 
laws. 


After  her  fellow-prisoners,  William  Robinson 
and  Marmaduke  Stevenson,  had  suffered,  she  step- 
ped up  the  ladder,  expecting  immediately  to  un- 
dergo the  same  punishment.  Her  clothes  were 
tied  about  ber  feet,  the  halter  put  about  her  neck, 
and  her  face  covered  with  a  handkerdiief,  with 
which  Priest  Wilson  supplied  the  hangman.  But 
after  all  this  preparation  was  made,  a  cry  was 
heard :  "  Stop,  for  she  is  reprieved."  This  ap- 
pears to  bave  been  no  tidings  of  joy  to  her,  for 
her  mind  had  entered  into  so  full  a  resignation  to 
the  prospect  of  deaCh,  that  she  seemed  already  parti- 
cipating of  the  joys  of  that  eternity  which  appeared 
then  before  her.  When  her  fiet  were  loosed,  and 
she  liad  liberty  given  her  to  come  down,  ^e  con- 
tinued where  she  was,  and  told  tliose  about  her, 
that  she  was  there  willing  to  suffer  as  her  brethren 
had  done,  except  they  would  annull  their  wicked 
law.  She  was  at  -length  forced  away  and  taken 
back  to  iier  prison.  This  reprieve  was  owing  to 
the  intercession  of  her  son,  to  whom  it  seems  the 
magistrates  durst  not  then  deny  that  favour. 


-LIFE   OF    MARY    DYER. 


47 


The  day  after  her  reprieve,  she  again  addressed 
-the  General  Court,  at  Boston.  The  address  diows 
<the  fortitude  of  her  >mind,  and  the  deep  sense 
^  hich  she  entertained  of  the  cruel  disposition  of 
her  persecutors.  It  begins  thus:  "Once  more 
tto  the^  General  Court  assembled  in  Boston  speaks 
Mary  Dyer,^  even  as  before.  My  life  is  not  ac- 
-cepted,  neither  availeth  me,  in  comparison  of  the 
lives  and  liberty  of  the  truth  and  servants  of  the 
'living  God,  for  which  in  the  bowfels  of  love  and 
meekness  I  sought  ^ou  ;  yet  nevertheless  with 
wicked  hands  have  you  put  two  of  them  to  death, 
which  makes  me  to  feel  that  the  mercies  of  the 
wicked  is  cruelty.  I  rather  choose  to  die  than 
live  as  from  you,  as  guiltyof  their  innocent  blood, 
•Therefore,  seeing  my  request  is  hindered,  I  leave 
you  to  the  righteous  Judge  and  Searcher  of  all 
Jiearts." 


•  By  her  reprieve,  it  was  directed  that  she  should 
continue  in  prison  forty-eight  hours  ;  after  which 

'  it  appears  she  was  put  on  a  horse  and  conveyed 
"fifteen  inHes  towards  Rhode  Island,  and  was  then 
•left  with  Q^  ntan  and  horse  to  be  conveyefd  forward ; 
but  she  sent  tkem  back,  and  went  home  without 
their  assistance.  After  residki?  here  and  on  Lofi<r 
-Island  for  several  months,  3he  again  apprehended 
it  her  duty  to  visit  the  town  of  Boston.     She  ac- 

^'Cordingly  returned  there  on  the  21st  of  the  Sd 


48 


LIFE  OF  MARV  DYER. 


LIPE  OV    MARY  DYEH. 


4# 


month,  1660,  and  t€n  days  afterwards  was  summoned 
before  the  General  Court,  ^vilere,  after  a  few  in- 
terrogatories, Eudicot  passed  this  sentence  upon 
her  :  "  You  must  return  to  the  prison,  and  there 
remain  till  to-morrow  at  nine  o'clock;  then  from 
thence  you  must  go  to  tlie  gallows,  and  there 
be  hanged  till  you  are  dead."  On  this  Mary 
Dyer  remarked :  "  This  is  no  more  than  what 
thou  saidst  before;"  to  which  Endicot  replied: 
<*  But  now  it  is  to  be  executed,  therefore  prepare 
yourself  to-morrow  at  nine  o'clock." 

She  then  addressed  the  Court  in  these  words: 
*'  I  came  in  obedience  to  the  will  of  God  the  last 
General  Court,  desiring  you  to  repeal  your  un- 
righteous laws  of  banishment  on  pain  of  death, 
and  the  same  is  my  work  now  and  earnest  request ; 
although  1  told  you  that  if  you  refused  to  repeal 
them,  the  Lord  would  send  others  of  his  servants 
to  witness  against  them." 

After  a  little  more  conversation,  she  was  ordered 
to  be  taken  to  prison,  and  about  the  time  appoint- 
ed next  morning,  the  marshal  came  in  a  hasty, 
rough  manner  to  take  her  to  the  place  of  execu- 
tion,^ to  which  she  was  led  by  a  band  of  soldiers,  and 
with  drums  beating  before  and  behind,  to  prevent 
her  being  heard  if  she  should  say  any  thing  to  the 
people.    The  gallows  were  about  a  mile  distant 


iwm  the  prison.  When  she  came  there,  and  had 
ascended  the  ladder,  she  was  told,  tliat  if  she 
would  return  she  might  come  down  and  save  her 
life,  to  which  she  replied :  "  Nay,  I  cannot ;  for 
in  obedience  to  the  will  of  the  Lord  I  came,  and 
in  his  will  I  abide  faithful  to  the  death." 

She  was  then  charged  with  being  guilty  of  her 
own  blood;  on  which  she  replied:  "  Nay,  I  came 
to  keep  blood-guiltiness  from  you,  desiring  you  to 
repeal  the  unrighteous  and  unjust  law  of  banish- 
ment upon  pain  of  death,  made  against  the  inno- 
cent servants  of  the  Lord;  therefore  my  blood  will 
be  required  at  your  hands,  who  wilfully  do  it ;  but 
for  tliose  that  do  it  in  the  simplicity  of  their  hearts, 
I  desire  tlie  Lord  to  forgive  Uiem.  I  came  to  do 
the  will  of  my  Father,  and  in  obedience  to  his  will, 
I  stand  even  to  death." 

Some  more  conversation  passed  betwee»  her 
and  her  persecutors ;  and  when  one  mentioned 
her  saying,  she  had  been  in  Paradise,  she  replied  : 
"  Yea,  I  have  been  in  Paradise  several  davs."  It 
appears  that  her  mind  was  now  in  the  same 
^«<ituation  as  on  goij»g  to  the  place  of  execution 
before,  when,  in  replying  to  some  insulting  lan- 
guage, she  said :  "  "^riiis  is  to  me  an  hour  of  the 
greatest  joy  I  ever  had  in  this  world.  No  ear  can 
hear;  no  tongue  can  utter;  and  no  heart  can  un- 

D 


w- 


.'ja  V 


SO 


■ZITE   OF  MARYrDYEB. 


I 


i. 


^erstand  the  sweet  incomes,  and  the  refreshings  of 
Jthe  Spirit  of  the  Lor4  which  I  now  feel." 

Olher  expressions  now  dropped  from  her,  de- 
scriptive of  the  happy  state  ot  her  mind  in  the 
prospect  of  that  eternity  into  which  ghe  Mas  about 
enterin<'.  In  this  state  she  was  turtied  off,  and 
died  a  martyr  for  Ghrist,  and  for  her  testimony 
atrainst  persecution  and  persecutors.  H«r  conduct 
on  this  occasion,  with  her  addresses  to  the  court, 
evince  her  to  have  been  a  woman  of  good  abilities, 
great  fortitude,  and  pious  resignation,  to  the  will 
of  God. 

The  state  of  mind  in  which  she  twice  met  the 
prospect  of  death,  manifests  the  hope  she  enter- 
tained of  a  glorious  immortality,  into  which  there 
is  abundant  reason  to  believe  she  happily  entered, 
experienchig  the  truth  of  the  Apostle's  observa- 
tion, that "  these  light  afflictions  wliich  are  but  for 
a  moment,  work  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
-eternal  weight  of  gloi^." 


rMAPTfeR    VI. 


^IFE  OF  WILLIAM  LEDDRJ. 


JtOR  the  sake  of  connecting  the  accounts  of 
these  New   England   martyrs,   I  shall  digress   a 
little,  and  but  a  little,  from  chronological  order, 
in  my  notice  of  William  Leddra.     He  ^vas  an  i«' 
habitant  of  the  island  of  Barbadoes,     In  the  year 
1658,  he  came  to  New  England,  and,  at  Newbury, 
iie  and  his  companion  William  Brend,  were  forced 
out  of  the  town,  and  conveyed  to  Salem,  where 
they  were  examined  by  the  magistrates.     After 
acknowledging  themselves  to  be  of  the  People 
called  Quakers,  it  was  objected  to  them  that  they 
maintained  dangerous  errors ;  and  when  they  asked 
Mhat  these  errors  were,   they  were  told  that  they 
denied  Christ  who  suffered  on  the  cross  at  Jeru- 
■^alem,  and  that  they  denied  the  Scriptures.     This 
charge  they   boldly  contradicted,   asserting   that 
they  owned  Jesus  Clirist  who  suffered  death  at  Je- 
rusalem, and  that  they  also  owned  the  Scriptures, 
^^otwitltstanding  this  declaration,  they  were  af-. 

I)  2 


52 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    LEDDRA, 


1.1FE    OF   WILLIAM    LEDDRA. 


53 


^•estecl,  sent  to  Boston,  and  committed  to  tbe  house 
of  correction  there,  only  because  ikey  were  found 
to  be  Quakers. 

As  they  would  not  work  for  the  benefit  of  the 
jailer,  he  kept  ibcni  five  days  without  food,  though 
they  offered  to  pay  for  it.  After  this  privation, 
he  inflicted  upon  them  twenty  stripes  with  a  whip. 
When  this  severity  had  been  exercised,  he  told  them 
that  if  they  would  pay  the  marshal  for  leading 
them  out  of  the  country,  they  might  go*,  but  they, 
considering  it  unreasonable  to  pay  for  their  owu 
banishment,  refused,  yet  offered  to  go  away  if  the 
prison  doors  were  opened  to  tl>em  for  that  purpose. 
With  this  the  jailer  did  not  think  proper  to  com- 
ply, and  the  next  day  exercised  his  cruel  disposi- 
tion on  William  Brend,  in  such  a  shocking  manner 
as  produced  much  discontent  and  a  great  xlamour 
in  the  town. 

William  Leddra  continued  for  some  time  in  the 
house  of  correction  at  Boston,  where  he  was  fre- 
quently whipped,  but  at  length  was  discharged. 
He  was  also  imprisoned  at  Plymouth,  and  ulti- 
mately banished  from  the  colony,  on  pain  of  death 
if  he  should  return  to  it.  Where  he  went  after  bis 
banishment  I  do  not  find ;  but  he  did  not  con- 
tinue long  absent,  feeling  his  mind  strongly  im- 
pressed with  an  apprehensioo  of  duty  again  to 


visit  these  persecuting  people,  and  those  who  suf- 
fered from  them.  Returning  to  Boston,  though 
almost  certain  of  the  consequences  which  would 
ensue,  he  was  there  arrested,  sent  to  jail,  fastened 
to  a  log  of  wood,  and  kept  chained  night  and  day, 
in  an  open  prison,  during  a  very  cold  winter. 

In  the  first  month,  1660-1,  he  was  brought  be- 
fore the  Court  of  Assistants,  with  the  chain  and 
log  at  his  heels.  Being  placed  at  the  bar,  he  was 
informed,  that  having  returned  after  sentence  of 
banishment,  he  had  incurred  the  penalty  of  death 
by  the  law.  Upon  this  he  asked  them  what  evil 
he  had  done^.  To  which  the  court  replied,  he  had 
owned  those  who  were  put  to  death,  and  had  said 
that  they  were  innocent;  that  he  had  refused  to  put 
off  his  hat  in  court,  and  would  say  thee  and  thou. 
He  then  asked  them  if  they  would  put  him  to 
death  for  speaking  English  and  for  not  putting  off 
his  clothes.  To  this  Major  Dennison  answered,  A 
man  may  speak  treasop  in  English.  On  which 
William  Leddra  asked:  "  Is  it  treason  to  say  thee 
and  thou  to  a  single  person  f" 

I  have  given  this  conversation  at  length,  to  show 
the  light  charges  which  these  persecutors  brought 
against  those,  on  whom  they  inflicted  the  punish- 
ment of  death.  The  hat  had  given  great  offence 
in  some  of  the  former  sufferers,  and  it  was  evea 

D  3 


^'4 


LIFE   OF   WILLlAiM    LEDDRA. 


thrown  in  the  teeth  of  one  of  them,  at  the  place 
of  execution.  But  to  what  a  degree  of  pride 
must  the  minds  of  these  men  have  attained,  who 
could  persecute,  as  man^  have  done,  innocent  and 
virtuous  men,  because  they  withheld  this  mark  of 
/aspect,  and  addressed  individuals  in  the  singular 
number;  language  which  they  themselves  used  to 
their  Maker.  Surely  it  was  high  time  that  these 
corrupt  and  pride-gratifying  practices  should  be 
checked ;  and  though  the  testimony  against  them 
may  be  classed  among  the  lesser  matters  of  the 
law  of  our  God,  yet  I  believe  when  duly  consi- 
dered, it  will  be  found  to  be  a  duty  which  is  called 
for  from  us  as  a  people. 

To  return  to  the  subject  of  this  Memoir.  Af- 
ter a  little  more  conversation  between  him  and  his 
persecutors,  he  said :  "  I  appeal  to  the  laws  of 
England  for  my  trial;  if  by  them  I  am  found 
guilty,  I  refuse  not  to  die."  This  appeal,  how- 
ever, was  rejected,  and  the  Court  attempted  to 
persuade  him  to  a  recantation  and  compliance 
with  their  will ;  but  this  attempt  he  rejected  with 
disdain,  saying :  "  What !  to  join  with  such  mur- 
derers as  you  are !  Then  let  every  man  that  meets 
me  say :  ''  Lo !  this  is  the  man  that  has  forsaken 
the  God  of  his  salvation." 

The  coiut,  finding  their  prisoner  steadfast  and 
immovable,  passed  sentence  of  death  upon  him, 


1.1FC   OF   WILLIAM   Li;D©TlAr 


5$ 


and  appointed  the  14th  of  the  month  for  the  exe- 
eution  of  their  sentence.  A  morning  lecture  was 
also  appointed  on  the  same  day,  in  which  thte 
priest  was  not  backward  to  animate  the  magis- 
tratesj  iu  the  executioa  of  their  cf uel  sentence. 

When  this  shocking  preamble  to  the  exccutioa 
of  an  unchristian  and  wicked  law  was  finished,  the 
governor  came  t©  the  prison  with  a  guard  of 
soldiers;  the  prisoner's  irons  were  knocked  off,  and 
he,  after  taking  a  solemn  leave  of  his  fellow-pri- 
soners, cheerfully  went  forth  when  called.  The 
guard  instantly  surrounded  him,  to  prevent  any  of 
his  friends  coming  near  to  speak  to  him;  at  which 
one  of  his  friends,  Edward  Whartoii,  said  to  theme 
"  What  I  \rill  ye  show  yourselves  worse  than 
Bonner's  bloody  brood  ?  Will  you  not  let  me  come 
near  my  suffering  friend  before  yon  kill  him  ?"  To 
this  one  of  the  company  replied :  "  Oh !  Edward  I 
it  will  be  your  turn  next ;"  and  an  officer  threa- 
tened to  stop  his  mouthy  if  he  spoke  smother 
mord. 

The  procession  being  come  to  tKe  place"  of 
execution,  William  Leddra  took  leave  of  his  . 
friend,  Edward  Wharton,  and  said  to  him :  "  All 
that  will  be  Christ's  disciples  must  take  up  his 
cross."  Then  standing  on  the  place  where  the 
guard  directed  him,  be  said  to  the  pieople :  "  For 

D  4 


^a 


XIFE    OF    WILLIAM    LEDDBA. 


bearing  my  testimony  to  the  Lord  against  the  de- 
ceivers and  deceived,  am  I  brought  here  to  suffer." 
When  the  executioner  was  putting  the  halter 
about  his  neck,  he  meekly  said  :  "  I  commend  my 
righteous  cause  unto  thee,  O  God !"  and  as  he  was 
turned  off,  he  cried  out:  "Lord  Jesus!  receive 
iny  spirit.** 

Thus  did  this  innocent  martyr,  patiently  suffer 
tinder  the  cruel  laws  of  men,  who  appeared  to  be 
insensible  to  all  the  compunctions  that  either 
justice  or  mercy  €xcit«  in  the  human  heart.  The 
state  of  his  mind  under  his  sufferings,  was  such  as 
became  a  christian;  and  his  spiritual  enjoyments, 
previous  to  his  death,  evince  such  a  participation 
of  the  beatific  vision  while  in  the  body,  as  is  not 
often  experienced,  as  will  appear  from  the  fol- 
lowbg  extract  from  a  letter,  written  the  day  before 
his  deadi,  and  addressed, 

*'  To  the  Society  of  the  little  Flock  of  Christ^ 

"  Grace  and  peace  be  multiplied, 

V  Most  dear  and  inwardly  beloved ! 

*'  The  sweet  influences  of  the  moming  star,  lik^ 
%  flood,  distilling  into  my  innocent  habitation,  have 
so  tilled  me  with  the  joy  of  the  Lord  in  the  beauty 
of  holiness,  that  my  spirit  is  as  if  it  did  not  inhabit 
a  tabernacle  of  clay,  but  is  wholly  swallowed  up 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    LEDDRA. 


57 


in  the  bosom  of  eternity,  from  whence  it  had  its 
being. 

"  Alas !  alas !  what  can  the  wrath  aud  spirit  of 
man  that  lusteth  to  envy,  aggravated  by  the  heat 
and  strength  of  the  king  of  the  locusts,  which 
came  out  of  the  pit,  do  unto  one  that  is  hid  in  the 
secrets  of  the  Almighty,  or  unto  them  that  are 
gathered  under  the  healing  wings  of  the  Prince  of 
Peace  ?  Under  whose  armour  of  light  they  shall 
be  able  to  stand  in  the  day  of  trial ;  bavin""  on  the 
breastplate  of  righteousness  and  the  sword  of  the 
Spirit,  which  is  their  weapon  of  war  against  spi- 
ritual wickedness,  principalities  and  powers^  and 
the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world,  both 
within  and  without. 

"  Oh!  my  beloved!  I  have  waited  like  a  dove 
at  the  windows  of  the  ark;  and  have  stood  still  iq 
that  watch  which  the  Master,  without  whom  I 
could  do  nothing,  did  at  his  coming  reward  with 
the  fulness  of  his  love,  wherein  my  heart  did  re- 
joice, that  I  might,  in  the  love  and  life  of  God. 
^peak  a  few  words  to  you,  sealed  with  the  spirit 
of  promise,  that  the  taste  thereof  might  be  a 
t^avour  of  life  to  your  life,  and  a  testimony  in 
vou  of  my  innocent  death.  And  if  I  had  been 
altogether  silent,  aud  the  Lord  had  not  opened 
n\y  mouth  unto  you,  yet  he  would  have  opened 
:  our  hearts,  and  there  have  sealed  my  innocence 

D  5 


53 


tIFE   OF  WILLIAM   LEDDRA. 


with  the  streams  of  life,  by  which  we  are  all  bap- 
tized into  that  body  which  is  of  God,  with  whom 
and  in  whose  presence  there  is  life ;  in  which  as 
you  abide,  you  stand  upon  the  pillar  and  ground  of 
truth.  For  the  life  being  the  truth  and  the  way, 
go  not  one  step  Mithout  it,  lest  you  should  com- 
pass a  mountain  in  the  wilderness;  for  to  every 
thing  tiiere  is  a  season. 

"  As  the  flowing  of  the  ocean  dpth  fill  eveiy 
creek  and  branch  thereof,  and  then  retires  a<»ain 
towards  its  own  being  and  fulness,  and  leaves  a 
Savour  behind  it,  so  doth  tire  life  and  virtue  of 
(jod  flow  into  every  one  of  your  hearts,  whom  he 
hatb  made  partakers  of  his  Divine  nature;  and 
when  it  wididraws  but  a  little,  it  leaves  a  sweet 
savour  behind  it,  that  many  can  say  they  are  made 
clean  through  the  word  that  he  hath  spoken  to 
ibeni ;  in  which  innocent  condition  you  may  see 
what  you  are  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  what 
you  are  without  Him." 

He  then  proceeds  in  a  strain  of  instructive  ex- 
hortation to  bis  friends ;  but  what  is  already 
quoted  may  be  suflicient  to  manifest  the  desirable 
state  of  mind,  which  he  experienced  on  thi? 
solemn  occasion. 


CHAPTER  VH. 


LIFE  OF  THOMAS  JLDAM. 


This  rrlend  was  one  of  the  earliest  converts 
of  George  Fox  in  the  county  of  York.  His  mo- 
ther, wife,  and  two  sisters,  were  all  convinced 
about  the  same  time.  This  was  in  1651.  His 
residence  was  at  Warmsworth,  near  Doncaster, 
where  I  suppose  him  to  have  been  born ;  but  iu 
what  year  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertaiflr 

Previous  to  his  knowledge  of  George  Fox,  he 
appears  to  have  been  a  man  religiously  disposed, 
and  was  much  attached  to  some  of  the  ministers 
of  that  day,  I  suppose  those  called  Puritans,  who 
at  that  time,  having  overturned  Episcopacy,  took 
possession  of  the  places  of  public  w  orship  and  the 
livings  of  their  predecessors.  With  these,  how- 
even  he  became  dissatisfied,  for  he  aspired  after  a 
^greater  degree  of  light  and  purity  than  he  bad  yet 


J   tl 


m 


LIFE   OF   THOMAS   ALJDAM. 


met  with.  Such  was  his  condition,  when  Georsife 
Pox  came  into  the  neighbourhood  of  his  residence, 
through  whose  ministry  he  was  effectually  turned 
from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of 
batan  unto  God. 


Tlie  doctrine  of  a  principle  of  Divine  Light,  o^ 
the  Spirit  of  Christ  illuminating  the  soul,  and 
opening  to  it  the  way  of  life  and  salvation,  was 
readily  acknowledged  by  him  ;  through  which  he 
was  drawn  from  a  dependance  on  his  former 
teachers,  separated  from  the  ways  of  the  world, 
and  himself  qualified  to  bear  a  living  testimony  to 
the  truth,  inviting  others  to  "  taste  and  see  how 
good  the  Lord  is." 

In  his  ministerial  labours,  he  was  not  only  exercised 
in  the  meetings  of  his  Friends,  but  often  attended  the 
public  places  of  worship,  where  lie  was  frequently 
concerned  to  speak  of  the  things. of  God,  and  at 
limes  to  testify  against  the  conduct  both  of  the 
priests  and  people.  He  was  thus  engaged  at 
"Warmsworrii,  Hatfield,  Wickersley,  Edlington, 
Tickhill,  Bawtry,  Thorne,  Handsworth,  Rossing- 
ton,  and  Pontcfract.  In  almost  all  these  places 
he  met  with  very  rude,  severe  treatment;  but 
at  Thorny,  when  the  priest  ordered  the  constable 
to  take  out  that  rude  and  uncivil  fellow,  who  came 
-so  uncivilly  in  and  made  a  disturbance  j  the  con- 


IITE   OF  THOMAS   ALDAM. 


61 


stable  being  of  a  different  spirit  from  the  priest, 
replied :  "  He  disturbeth  no  man,  nor  doth  any 
man  harm."  After  the  priest  had  finished  his 
sermon,  Thomas  Aldam  preached  to  the  people. 
Some  of  the  rude  sort,  after  the  example  of  their 
priest,  reviled  him ;  and,  not  content  with  words, 
proceeded  t^  blows,  both  with  their  hands  and 
feet,  and  even  spit  -upon  "him,  turning  him  out  of 
their  church,  as  tliey  called  it.  This  may  sei^e  as 
rather  a  favomable  specimen  of  the  treatment, 
which  he  generally  met  with  on  these  occasions. 

About  the  year  165^,  in  consequence  of  a  con- 
cern of  this  kind  at  Warmsworth,  he  was  com- 
mitted to  York  Castle  by  Darcy  Wentworth,  John 
Cople}-,  George  Byard,  and  Thomas  Westby, 
justices.  It  is  likely  iie  was  the  first  Friend  who 
was  a  prisoner  in  that  place  for  his  religious  prin- 
ciples, and  he  was  continued  a  prisoner  about 
two  years  and  a  half;  during  which  time  be  was 
not  only  prevented  from  visiting  his  family,  but  his 
wife  and  relations  frequently  were  not  suffered  to 
visit  him. 


During  this  long  imprisonment,  he  was  brought 
to  trial  before  Judge  Parker;  but  Thomas  Aldam 
not  paying  the  judge  the  usual  compliment  of 
taking  off  the  hat,  and  likewise  addressing  him  ia 
the  singular  number;  witli  some  remonstrances  ©r 


et 


LIFE   OF   THOMAS   ALDAM. 


his  conduct,  the  judge  fined  him  forty  pounds^ 
and  committed  him  to  prison  with  an  order  for 
him  to  be  kept  close  priwner  till  he  paid  it;  but^ 
on  application  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  an  order  was 
given  for  his  liberation.  He  bore  his  long  con- 
finement with  much  patience,  under  a  sense  of  the 
Lord's  goodness  to  him;  and  he  had^nany  oppor- 
tunities of  religious  service,  and  of  remonstrating 
with  the  judges  and  justices,  on  the  sufferings 
V^hich  they  imposed  on  an  innocent  people. 

Besides  this  imprisonment,  he  also  suffered 
much  in  his  property  for  not  paying  tithes  and 
other  ecclesiastical  demands.  So  great  was  the 
enmity  of  the  priest  of  Warmsworth,  that  after  all 
hisxows  had  been  taJken  from  himy  and  he  had 
borrowed  one  of  a  relation  to  supply  his  family 
with  milk,  the  cruel  priest  threatened  to  take  that 
away  also.  This  priest,  however,  was  reduced  to 
poverty,  his  own  children  prodigally  spending"  his 
property,  and  he  himself  died  suddenly. 

Tliough  Thomas  Aldam  was  a  great  sufferer, 
both  in  body  and  property,  on  account  of  his  re- 
ligious principles,  yet  his  feelings  were  not  con- 
fined to  himself,  but  ware  extended  to  his  sufferin«r 
Friends,  in  various  parts  of  the  nation ;  for  whose 
relief  he  travelled  much  in  England,  Scotland,  and 
Ireland;  visiting  them  in  tlieir  prisons,  and  laying 


LIFE   OF   THOMAS   ALDAM. 


65 


their  distressing  situations  before  those  in  autho- 
rity. It  was  on  one  of  these  occasions,  whea 
applying  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  that  he  took  off  his 
cap  before  the  Protector,  aud  tore  it  to  pieces, 
&a}kig:  "  So  shall  thy  government  be  torn  from 
thee  and  thy  house."  This  prediction  he  just 
lived  to  see  fulfilled,  dying  in  the  year  I6OO. 

In  his  last  illness,  he  experienced  much  inward 
support  and  resignation  to  the  event.  At  one 
time  he  felt  his  strength  so  renewed,  that  he 
thought  he  could  go  to  London,  if  required ;  but 
soon  added :  ''  I  am  clear  of  the  blood  of  all 
men ;  I  feel  nothing  to  this  man,"  meaning  Charles 
the  Second,  who  was  then  just  restored  to  his 
crown.  The  day  before  he  died,  he  called  hif 
children  together,  and  after  giving  them  some  ad- 
vice, took  his  leave  of  them,  and  the  next  day 
resigned  his  soul  into  the  hands  of  his  Creator. 


From  the  character  I  find  given  of  this  Friend, 
he  appears  to  have  been  possessed  of  many  excel- 
lent qualities.  He  was  a  man  of  great  courage 
and  firmness  of  mkid,  and  being  fully  dedicated  to 
the  service  of  God  and  the  support  of  his  religious 
principles,  he  laboured  and  suffered  much  in  that 
day  of  violence  and  persecution.  Whilst  his  tes- 
timony was  sharp  against  evil-cioers,  he  was  very 
tender  towards  those  in  whom  he  discovered  ^ia- 


u 


"LITE   OP   THOMAS   ALDA»C 


€ere  desires  towards  God  and  the  knowledge  of 
his  truth.     H«  was  a  man  of  universal  charity, 
manifesting  a  disposition  to  do  good  unto  all  men 
and  thus  showing  forth  the  praise  of  Him  who 
had  called  him  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous 
light. 


In  his  own  family,  to  use  the  words  of  his  sou 
"  He  was  often  very  broken  hearted,  watching 
over  his  children  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.     And 
when  I  remember  the  fervency  of  spirit  which  did 
attend  him,  and  how,  when  he  had  been  to  take  a 
journey  on  Truth's  account,  he  would  have  called 
his  wife  and  children,  and  in  great  tenderness  and 
humility  have  bowed  his  knees  before  the  Lord, 
and  poured  out  his  supplications  unto  Him,  de- 
siring earnestly  that  the  Lord  might  go  with  him, 
and  committing  us  into  his  keeping;   and  what 
brokenness  of  heart  was  amongst  us  at  such  times, 
and  how  the  love  of  God  did  abound,  then  can 
my  soul  say,  those  were  precious  seasons,  and  are 
not  to  be  forgotten  by  us;   but  to  be  recorded  to 
posterity,  that  we  may  tell  our  children,  and  the\ 
also  may  declare.it  when  we  are  gone,  how  good 
the  Lord  hath   been  unto  his  people,  and  what 
great  cause  tliey  have  to  love  Him,  and  put  their 
trust  in  Him ;  that  so  his  name  may  be  renowned 
amongst  our  families,  so  long  as  they  ghall  have  a 
being.'* 


tv 


tlVE    OF   THOMAS   ALDAM.. 


€5 


It  has  already  been  noticed,  that  Thomas  Al- 
idam's  mother,  wife,  and  two  sisters,  were  all  con- 
vinced by  George  Fox.  Of  the  mother  I  find  no 
further  notice.  His  wife  survived  him  only  about 
three  months :  she  was  a  religious  woman,  "  of  a 
very  meek  and  quiet  spkit,  given  up  in  all  things 
to  God's  disposing.** 

The  two  sisters,  Margaret  Kellam  and  Joan 
Kellam,  continued  faithful  to  the  convictions  they 
had  received,  and  were  both  serviceable  women  in 
the  Society.  Margaret  travelled  much  in  Truth's 
service,  and  many  were  convinced  by  her.  She 
suffered  imprisonment  in  several  places,  as  Exeter, 
Banbury,  and  York.  "  Great,"  says  her  nephew, 
"  was  the  boldness  that  did  attend  her,  in  sound- 
ing forth  the  truth,  in  the  streets,  steeple-houses, 
and  market-places,  and  to  the  heads  and  rulers  of 
the  people ;  and  the  Lord  was  with  her.  She 
finished  her  course  in  the  faith,  signifying  to  a  near 
relation,  before  her  departure,  the  great  peace  she 
enjoyed  with  the  Lord,  and  the  clearness  of  con- 
science slie  had  before  him."  She  died  in  the 
year  1672« 


Joan  Kellam  died  in  the  year  1681,  having 
been  a  very  useful  woman,  and  of  much  religious 
experience,  by  which  she  became  as  a  mother  iu 
Israel,  and  a  teuder  sympathizer  with  those  who 


m 


LIFE   OF   THOMAS   ALDA!^. 


were  in  a  state  of  suflferiiig,  whether  in  l)ody  or 
in  mind. 


These  accounts  are  principally  taken  from  a 
publication  by  Thomas  Aldam,  son  of  him  whos« 
life  has  just  been  noticed  The  son  appears  to 
have  been  a  very  useful  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  but  I  find  little  on  record  relating  to  him. 
George  Fox,  in.  a  testimony  respecting  the  father, 
calls  the  son  "  a  hopeful  young  man ;"  and  it  is 
probable  before  I  come  in  the  order  of  my  work 
to  the  time  of  his  decease,  something  may  ba 
found  concerning  hi  m^  deserving  of  further  notice* 


m 


CHAPTER   Vm. 


LIFE  OF  JJMES  NJYLUR^. 


JijLE  was  born  in  the  parish  of  Ardsley,  near 
Wakefield,  in  Yorkshire,  about  the  year  l6l6r 
His  fatlier  was  a   husbandman  of  good  repute 

•  

and  property.  He  gave  his  son  a  good  English 
education,  who  married  aboui  the  time  of  his  re- 
moval into  the  parish  of  Wakefield.  When  tlie 
civil  wars  broke  out,  he  entered  into  the  Parlia^ 
raent's  army,  first  under  Lord  Fairfax,  and  after* 
wards  as  quarter- master,  under  Major-General 
Lambert.  He  continued  in  the  army  about  eight 
years,  when  being  disabled  by  sickness  in  Scot- 
land, he  returned  home  about  the  year  1649* 

In  160 1,  George  Fox  visited  that  pact  of  York* 
shire  where  James  Nayler  resided,  and  he  with 
many  odiers  attached  themselves  unto  him.  He 
appears  to  have  been  one  of  those  who  had  im-^ 
bibed,  previous  to  their  acquaintance  with  George 


68 


LIFE   OF   JAMES    NAYLER. 


Fox,  the  same  religious  principles,  and  therefore 
gladly  received  his  testimony* 

Soon  after  this,  he  apprehended  himself  called 
to  leave  bis  family  and  devote  himself  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God.  Of  this  he  gives  a  particular  ac- 
count in  his  trial  at  Appleby,  of  which  this  is  the 
substance :  "  That  when  he  was  at  plough,  medi- 
tating on  the  things  of  God,  he  heard  a  voice  bid- 
ding him  go  out  from  his  kindred  and  his  father's 
house,  having  a  promise  given  with  it,  that  the 
Lord  would  be  with  him/*  At  this  he  did  exceed- 
ingly rejoice,  that  he  had  heard  the  voice  of  God, 
whom  he  had  believed  in  from  a  child,  and  whom 
he  endeavoured  to  serve.  When  he  went  home, 
he  made  preparation  for  his  journey;  but  being 
afterwards  disobedient,  the  wrath  of  God,  he  says, 
was  upon  him,  so  that  he  was  made  a  wonder  to 
others,  and  it  was  thought  he  would  have  died ; 
but  being  aftervvard«  made  willing,  and  going  out 
with  a  friend,  not  then  thinking  on  a  journey,  he 
was  commanded  to  go  Westward,  not  knowing 
what  he  was  to  do  there ;  but  when  he  came,  it 
was  given  him  what  to  declare.  Thus  he  con- 
tinued, not  knowing  one  day  what  he  was  to  do 
the  next;  yet  the  promise  of  God,  that  he  would 
be  with  him^  he  found  made  good  to  him  every 
day. 


LIFE   OF   JAMES    NAYLER. 


(» 


It  appears  that  he  first  travelled  into  Lanca- 
shire, where  wc  find  him  with  George  Fox  in  the 
Island  of  Walney,  a  fellow-sufferer  in  the  cruelty 
of  the  barbarous  inhabitants  of  that  place.  He 
was  also  a  party  in  the  trial  at  Lancaster  Sessions, 
related  in  the  life  of  George  Fox.  James  Nayler 
afterwards  travelled  into  Westmorland ;  and  at 
Kendal  and  ^e  neighbourhood,  received  some 
rude  treatment  from  the  priests  and  people;  but 
they  were  not  permitted  to  injure  him  or  his 
companions. 

At  Orton,  where  he  and  several  Friends  de- 
signed to  hold  a  religious  meeting,  five  priests  and 
many  people  assembled  to  make  disturbance,  and 
prevent  the  meeting  being  held.  The  priests  in- 
vited James  and  his  friends  to  hold  the  meeting  in 
the  town  field,  and  they  accepted  tlie  offer,  seeing 
;4hat  a  private  house  was  not  sufficient  to  accom- 
modate the  numbers  collected.  Here  the  priests 
began  to  dispute  on  the  impropriety  of  meeting 
there,  and  collecting  so  many  people  together  to 
break  the  peace.  Much  wrangling  succeeded, 
after  which  James  returned  to  the  house  of  one 
of  his  friends,  where  the  meeting  was  held,  though 
with  much  disturbance  from  ihe  rnde  people, 
who  were  collected  for  the  purpose  of  mischief; 
no  material  injury  was,  however,  sustained,  and 
that  evening  James  left  the  place,  and  thus  for  the 
present  escaped  the  fury  of  his  enemies. 


70 


LITE   OF   JAMES   NAYLER. 


1.1PE    OF   JAMES    NAYLER. 


71 


The  pnrlests  in  this  country  appear  to  have  beea 
tmcommonly  violent  and  cruel.  Not  contenV^ith 
preaching  against  Nayler,  and  imputing  to  l^^;;! 
blasphemy,  with  other  false  accusations,  they 
raised  an  armed  multitude,  who  came  to  the  house 
^here  he  was,  threatening  to  knock  out  his  brains 
against  the  wall,  or  to  pull  down  the  house  if  he 
ivould  not  -come  out ;  and  when  they  were  told 
that  the  doors  were  open,  the  people,  informing 
Ae  priests,  rushed  violently  into  the  house,  seized 
James  Nayler  by  the  throat,  dragged  him  into  the 
field,  and  afterwards  with  a  pitchfork  struck  off 
his  hat,  commanding  hira  to  answer  such  questions 
as  the  priests  should  iisk  him.  They  put  many 
questions  to  him,  which  he  answered  so  well,  that 
ihvy  could  not  take  any  advantage  ^om  them  to 
prosecute  him.  After  much  wrangling,  one  of 
the  priests  advised  the  people  not  to  receive  James 
Nayler  into  their  houses,  and  then  <lej)arted,  leav- 
ing him  and  his  friends  to  the  violence  of  the  rude 
multitude.  But  a  justice  of  the  peace  who  was 
present,  seeing  the  dangerous  situation  in  which 
the  Friends  were  placed,  kindly  assisted  them  in 
returning  to  the  house  from  which  they  came, 
^hich  they  entered  without  receiviiig  much  harm. 

On  this  occasiot),  James  was  puWicly  engaged 
to  praise  the  Lord,  for  his  wonderful  deliverance 
from  the  power  of  his  enemies^  which  some  of 


lliem  hearing,  said  :  "If  we  let  him  go  on  thus, 
all  people  will  run  after  him."  He  was  therefore 
again  haled  out  of  4he  iiouse,  t^kenbythe  justice 
-and  priest  to  a  nei^bouring  alehouse,  and  there 
committed  to  Appleby  jaii.  He  was  taken  to 
Eirkby  Stephen  that  night,  where  many  of  his 
friends  followed  him ;  and  Francis  Howgill,  speak- 
ing to  the  people,  was  also  taken  up,  and  com- 
mitted to  Appleby  prison  with  James  Nayler. 

Whilst  these  innocertt  sufferers  were  in  jail, 
their  enemies  were  busily  employed  in  obtaining 
all  the  accusations^thcy  could  «gainst  them  ;  and 
at  the  sessions  held  at  Appleby,  in  the  month 
called  January,  1052,.  James  Nayler  ^as  tried  on 
an  indictment  for  blasphemy.     This  charge  was 
occasioned  by  the  xloctrine  preached,. and  partiou- 
larly  insisted  on  by  our  early  Friends,  that  of  the 
tight  of.  Christ  universally  communicated  to  the 
human  race.     This  they  termed,  with  the  Apostle 
of  the  Gentiks,  "  €brist 'in  yoti  the  Hope   of 
Glory ;  and  furthee  illustrated  with  an  exhortation 
of  the  same  Apostle:  "  Prove  yourselves,  know 
ye  not  your  ownselves,  how  that  Jesus  Christ  is 
iu  you,  except  ye  be  j-eprobates." 

This '  doctrine  Hhfe  eneihles  of  tlief  Society  endea^ 
voured  to  convert  into  a  blasphemous  application 
of  Christ  to  themselves;  but  notwithstanding  th« 


n 


LIFE   OF   JAME9   NAYLER. 


strenuous  endeavours  of  some  of  the  justices,  the 
charge  could  not  be  substantiated;  and  Anthony 
Pearson,  who  then  sat  on  the  bench,  was  con- 
vinced by  the  examination  of  James  Nayler. 
Benson  was  another  of  the  justices,  and  was  fully 
sensible  of  the  insufficiency  of  tlie  evidence  to 
prove  the  charge  of  blasphemy ;  but  notwith- 
standing the  evident  innocence  of  the  prisoner, 
two  other  justices  were  so  violent  as  to  commit 
him  upon  the  petitions  of  the  ministers,  though  at 
the  hazard  of  being  fined  by  the  judges  *at  the 
assizes.  It  was  therefore  ordered  that  James 
Nayler  and  Francis  Howgill  should  remain  in 
prison,  where  they  were  arbitrarily  con6ned  about 
five  months,  and  then  discharged. 


After  his  liberation,  James  continued  some  time 
in  the  North;  and  when  he  had  fini^hed  his  service 
there,  he  travelled  Southward,  and  came  to  London 
in  the  year  1(554  or  5.  Here  began  those  tempta- 
tions of  self-exaltation  and  spiritual  pride,  which 
for  a  time  separated  him  from  his  brethren,  and 
subjected  him  to  severe  bodily  sufferings,  from 
those  who  were  then  in  power. 

Edward  Burrough  and  Francis  Howgill  were 
at  that  time  in  the  city,  and  great  success  attended 
their  ministry.  With  them  James  Nayler  united, 
and  his  gift  being  of  a  very  sublime  and  captivat- 


MFE   OF   JAMES    NATl.ER.  73 

\f\g  kind,  as  well  as  deep  and  sound,  he  became 
much  admired  and  followed  by  many  of  those  who 
heard  him,  some  of  whom  wexa  so  injudicious  and 
weak  as  to  draw  invidious  comparisons  between 
him  and  his  brethren.  This  proceeded  so  far,  that 
Edward  Burrough  and  Francis  Howgill  were 
sometimes  interrupted  in  their  religious  ser- 
vices, by  the  pretended  friends  of  James  Nayler. 
A  woman  of  the  name  of  Martha  Simmons,  was 
the  principal  in  this  impropei'  conduct ;  and  when 
reproved  for  it^  sl>e  made  her  complaint  to  James 
Nayler  in  so  lamentable  and  moving  a  manner, 
(hat  he  was  carried  away  with  her  reflections  on 

his  best  friends  and  fellow-labourei-s  in  the  same 
gojipel. 

♦. 
When  his  indiscreet  followers  had  so  far  pre* 
vailed,  as  in  a  great  measure  to  separate  him  from 
his   former   friends,    (hey  |yrooeeded    to   greater 
lengths  yf  wild  and  extravagant  conduct.    Leaving 
London,  he  travelled  as  far  as  Exeter,   where  i^t 
appears  he  was  committed  \o  prison  ;  and  during 
his  confinement    here,   Maitha    Simmons,   with 
other  two  women  aUke  teprehensible  as  herself, 
proceeded  so  far  in  their  extravagance  as  to  bow 
:uid  kneel  before  him,  and  to  kiss  his  feet.     Nor 
dff!  they  stop  here,  but  both  he  and  they  became 
so  darkened  in   their  imaginations,   lliat  after  his 
release  from   Exeter  ^msDn,    he  pcrR)ittc.!   t!.r.^€ 


74 


LIFE    OF   JAMES    NAYLEll. 


tvoinen  and  a  mail,  to  act  the  most  extravagant 
dondgct  towards  him.  'Vhe  man  went  bareheaded 
before  him,  ^  woman  led  his  horse,  the  three  wo- 
men, already  noticed,  spread  their  scarfs  and  hand- 
kerchiefs before  him,  while  a  number  of  persons 
in  company  sung,  "  Holy,  holy,  holy  is  the  Lord 
God  of  Hosts,  Hosantiah  in  the  highest.  Holy, 
holy,  holy  is  the  Lord  God  of  Israel." 

•^Vhen  they  came  to  Bristol,  James  Nayler  and 
several  of  his  company,  were  examined  by  the  ma- 
«ristrates  on  account  of  their  extravagant  conduct, 
and  afterwards  committed  to  prison.  From  Bris- 
tol they  were  removed  to  London,  to  be  examined 
by  the  Parliament,  or  a  Committee  of  the  House. 
Tlie  atteiition  of  Parliament  was  occupied  many 
days  on  the  subjecit,  and  much  diversity  of  senti- 
ment prevailed  on' the  punishment  proper  to  be 
inflicted. 

On  the  17th  of  December,  l656,  after  a  loitg 
debate,  the  House  came  to  the  following  resolu- 
tion:  "  That  James  Nayler  be  set  on  the  pillory, 
with  his  head  in  the  pillory  in  the  Palace  Yard, 
Westminster,  during  the  space  of  two  hours,  on 
Thursday  next,  and  be  whipt  by  the  hangman 
throucrh  the  streets,  from  Westminster  to  the  OM 
Exchange,  London ;  and  there  likewise  be  set  on 
the  pillory,  with  his  head  ia  the  pillory,  for  the 


LIFE    OF   JAMES    NAYLER. 


75 


upace  of  two  hours,  between  the  hours  of  eleven 
and  one  on  Saturday  next;  iu  each  place  wearing 
a  paper  containiiig  an  inscription  of  his  crimes ; 
and  that  at  the  Old  Exchange  his  tongue  be  bored 
through  with  a  hot  iron,  and  he  be  there  also  sti'*^- 
matized  in  the  forehead  with  the  letter  B.  And 
that  he  be  afterwards  sent  to  Bristol,  and  be  con- 
veyed through  the  said  city  on  horseback,  with  his 
face  backward,  and  there  also  be  publicly  ^^hipt  the 
next  market-day  after  he  comes  thither;  and  that 
from  thence  he  be  committed  to  prison  in  Bridewell, 
London,  and  restrained  from  the  society  of  ail 
people,  and  there  to  labour  hard  till  he  shall  be 
released  by  Parliament;  and  during  that  time  be 
debarred  the. use  of  pen,  ii»k,  and  paper,  and  shall 
have  no  relief,  but  what  he  earns  by  his  daily 
labour." 


I  do  not  find  that  any  punishment  was  inflicted 
on  those  to  whom  the  cliarge  of  blasphemy  most 
properly  belonged ;  for  though  Nayler  was  cer^ 
tuiuly  highly  culpable  in  permitting  such  conduct 
towards  him; -yet  it  might  be  considered,  that,  iii 
the  eye  of  the  law,  those  who  behaved  in  so  im- 
proper a  manner,  were  the  guilty  persons.  Lideed 
many  people  thought  diat  the  sentence  was  a  very 
severe  one  to  be  executed  upon  a  person,  whose 
crime  seemed  to  proceed  more  from  a  clouded 
understanding,  than  from  anv  evil  intention. 


J76 


-LIFE   OF  JAMES   NAYLBR. 


The  day  after  the  sentence  was  pronounced,  tlie 
£rst  part  of  it  was  put  in  execution,  and  borne 
with  so  much  patience  and  quietness,  as  was  asto- 
nishing to  the  beholders.    His  body  was  in  a  most 
pitiable  state,  and  in  addition  to  the  three  hundred 
and  ten  stripes  which  Jie  received  on  his  body,  his 
feet  were  much  hurt  by  the  horses  tieading  on 
them,  so  that  the  prints  of  their  shoe  nails  were 
visible.     A  person  who  washed  his  wounds,  in  a 
.  certificate  which  was   presented   to  Parliament, 
thus  describes  his  situation :  "  There  was  not  the 
space  of  a  man*s  nail  free  from  «tripes  and  blood, 
from  his  shoulder  near  to  his  waist;  his  right  arm 
sorely  striped,  his  hands  so  much  hurt  with  cords, 
that  they  bled  and  u'ere  swelled.    The  blood  and 
wounds  of  his  back  did  very  litUe  appear  at  first 
sight,  by  reason  of  the  abundance  of  dirt  that 
covered  them  t'dl  it  was  washed  off.** 

Many  people,  not  of  the  Society  of  Triends, 
%vere  so  affected  with  the  severity  of  tbis  punish- 
ment, that  application  was  made  to  Parliament 
for  a  postpoiiement  of  the  rest  of  ibe  sentence, 
which  was  to  take  place  only  two  days  after  the 
first  part  was  executed.  This  request  was  granted, 
and  a  week's  respite  obtained,  which  was  em- 
ployed in  further  applications,  first  to  the  Pariia- 
ment,  and  after wSrds  to  the  Protector,  for  a  total 
remission  of  the  rest  of  the  sentence.    Five  mniis- 


ilFE    OF   JAMES    NAYLER.  77 

tcrs,  whose  names  were  Caryl,  Monton,  Nye, 
Griffith,  and  Reynolds,  were  sent  to  converse 
with  Nayler ;  but  though  he  gave  such  explana- 
tions as  might  free  him  from  the  charge  of  blas- 
phemy, yet  his  understanding  appears  to  have  been 
still  much  clouded,  and  he  far  from  being  suffi- 
ciently sensible  of  the  great  impropriety  of  those 
extravagant  expressions,  which  were  used  towards 
him^  and  which  he  considered  as  only  applied  to 
Chriat;  ^ho,  according  to  h'a  pfincipleij  w&i  iiv 
him. 


Notwithstanding  the  earnest  applications  whicl^ 
were  made,  it  was  concluded  to  inflict  the  remain- 
ing part  of  the  sentence,  with  the  intermission  of 
only  one  week.  Accordingly,  on  the  27th,  he  was 
taken  to  the  Exchange,  where  he  was  put  into  the 
pillory,  his  tongue  bored  through,  and  his  forehead 
branded,  with  a  hot  iron.  It  was  very  remarkable, 
that  although  many  thousands  of  people  were  sup- 
posed to  be  present,  great  quietness  prevailed,  and 
very  few  were  heard  to  revile  him,  or  seen  to 
throw  any  thing  at  him.  One  general  sympathy 
appears  to  have  been  excited  by  his  cruel  punish- 
ment, for  admitting  the  worst  on  his  part,  it  may 
certainly  be  considered  as  exhibiting  a  specimen 
of  the  harsh  and  unfeeling  temper,  which  so  ge- 
nerally marked  those  times. 

E  3 


'8 


LIFE    OF    JAMES    NAYLER. 


UEE   OB   JAMES   I<iA,YL£R. 


7p 


After  the  execution  of  his  sentence  in  London^ 
he  was  sent  to  Bristol,  and  the  remainder  of  his 
•«entence  was  executed  there.  He  was  then  com- 
mitted to  ISiewgate  in  that  City,  and  thence  re- 
turned to  Bridewell  in  London,  where  he  was 
kept  a  prisoner  for  about  two  years.  During  this 
imprisonment,  he  was  favoured  with  a  deep  sense 
of  his  transgressions,  and  also  with  a  true  repen- 
tance for  them  ;  and  having  obtained  the  use  of 
pen  and  ink,  he  wrote  several  books  and  papers, 
condemning  his  conduct  in  very  feeling  terms ;  to 
which  he  added  several  more  after  his  releasp 
from  Bridewell. 

The  following  pieces  extracted  from  these  publi- 
cations, will  no  doubt  be  acceptable  to  the  reader. 

1st,  A  Testimony  to  Christ  Jesus,  delivered  to 
the  Parliament  who  persecuted  him  as  a  Blas- 
phemer, written  in  the  time  of  his  imprisonment 
in  Bridewell.  See  James  Nayler's  Works,  Intro- 
duction, page  XXXV. 

Cd  &  3d,  Two  short  papers  of  Confessions,  &c. 
taken  out  of  his  own  hand-writing,  page  xxv  8c  vi.— 
Ibid 

4th,  Beginning  "  Glory  to  God  Almighty," 
page  li.  &c. — Ibid. 

5th,  "  And  in  the  day  when  my  God  lifted  ray 
feet  out  of  the  pit  was  this  given  forth,"  page  xlix. 
Uid. 


No.  1.  A  Testimony  to  Chkist  Jesus,  See. 

**  Christ  Jesus  the  fmmanuel,  of  whose  sufferings 
tlie  Scriptures  declare.  Him  alone  I  confess  before 
men,  for  whose  sake  1  have  denied  whatever  was 
dear  to  me  in  this  world,  that  I  might  win  him,  and 
be  found  in  him- and  not  in  myself;  whose  life  and 
virtue  1  find  daily  manifest  in  my  mortal  body ; 
(which  is  my  eternal  joy  and  hope  of  glory;)  whom 
alone  1  seek  to  serve  m  spirit,  soul  and  body, 
night  and  day,  according  to  the  measure  of  grace 
working  in  me,  that  in  me  he  may  be  glorified 
whether  b)  life  or  death ;  and  for  his  sake  I  suffer 
all  things,  that  He  alone  may  have  the  glory  of  my 
change,  whose  work  alone  it  is  in  me.  Even  to 
that  Eternal  Spirit  be  glory,  and  to  the  Lamb^ 
fot  ever. 

**  But  to  ascribe  this  namfi,  power,  and  virtue 
to  James  Nayler,  or  to  that  which  had  a  beginning 
and  must  return  to  dust,  or  for  that  to  be  exalted 
or  worshipped,  to  me  is  great  idolatry;  and  with 
the  Spirit  of  Christ  Jesus  in  me  it  is  condemned ; 
which  Spirit  leads  to  lowliness,  meekness,  and 
long-suffering. 

**  So  having  an  opportunity  given,  with  readiiiest, 
I  am  wiUing  in  the  fear  of  God  the  Fatbev,  in 

£  4 


80 


UFE    OF   JAMES    NAYLER. 


LIFE   OF  JAMES   NAYLERi 


81 


honour  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  take  off  all  offences 
iVom  every  simple  heart,  this  to  declare  to  all  tho 
^vorld,  as  the  truth  of  Christ  is  iu  rae,  without 
guile  or  deceit,  daily  finding  it  to  be  ray  work  to 
seek  peace  in  truth,  with  all  men,  in  that  Spirit. 

"  James  Nayler;* 


No.  2  8c  3.    Two  Short  Papers,  8co. 

"  Dear  Brethren, 

"  My  heart  is  broken  this  day  for  the  offence 
that  I  have  occasioned  to  God*s  truth  and  people, 
and  especially  to  you,  who  in  dear  love  followed 
rae,  seeking  me  in  faithfulness  to  God ;  which  I 
rejected,  being  bound  wherein  I  could  not  come 
forth,  till  God's  hand  brought  me,  to  whose  love 
I  now  confess ;  and  I  beseech  you  forgive  wherein 
I  evilly  requited  your  love  in  that  day.  God 
knows  ray  sorrow  for  it  since  I  see  it,  that  ever  I 
should  offend  that  of  God  in  any,  or  reject  his 
counsel ;  and  now  that  paper  you  have  seen  lies 
much  upon  me,  and  I  greatly  fear  further  to  offend 
or  do  amiss,  whereby  the  innocent  truth  or  people 


of  God  should  suffer,  or  that  I  should  disobey 
therein. 

"  Unless  the  Lord  himself  keep  you  from 
me,  I  beseech  you  let  nothing  else  hinder  your 
coming  to  me,  that  I  might  have  your  help  in  the 
Lord.  In  the  mercies  of  Jesus  Christ,  this  I  beg 
of  you,  as  if  it  was  your  own  case,  let  me  not  be^ 
forgotten  of  you# 

"  And  I  beseech  you  speak  to  Henry  Clarke, 
or  whoever  else  I  have  most  offended ;  and  by  the 
power  of  God,  and  in  the  Spirit  of  Christ  Jesus, 
lam  willing  to  confess  the  offence;  that  God*s 
love  may  aicise  in  all  hearts  as  before,  if  it  be  his 
will,  who  only  can  remove  what  stands  in  the  way; 
and  nothing  thereof  do  I  intend  to  cover.  God  js 
witness  herein," 


*'  Dear  Friend^ 

*'  I  would  not  grieve  thee,  nor  any  way  offend 
the  people  of  the  Lord,  who  is  my  witness  of  the 
daily  sorrow  and  travail  of  my  soul,  for  the  of* 
fences  which  have  been  already,  and  that  the  peace 
of  any  should  be  broken  through  me  who  are  deac 

E  5 


62 


LITE    OF   JAMES    NAYLER. 


LIFE    OF   JAMES   NAYLER. 


83 


»l 


to  me ;  and  nothing  have  I  ih  this  world  near  in 
my  heart,  but  his  innocent  people,  ^vhom  he  hathi 
called  out  of  the  world:  and  I  cannot  trouble  vou 
but  I  oppress  my  own  lite ;  the  Lord  God  of  Peace 
rebuke  him,  who  daily  seeks  to  turn  the  simplicity 
out  of  its  way ;  who  hath  long  withstood  rae,  and 
doth  withstand  me.  Truly  my  heart  dreads  for 
fear  of  more  divisions,  gladly  would  I  see  thy  face, 
if  it  be  the  will  of  God;  my  boweh  earn  in  un- 
feigned love  towards  thee.  God  knows  I  lie  not ; 
and  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  I  know  thou  wilt 
■feel  me  in  truth.  And  whiitever  the  Lord,  in  any 
vf  you,  shall  lay  upon  me^  I  am  willing  to  suffer 
or  do,  that  all  brtiaehes  may  be  removed  from 
tlie  just. 

^'  James  Nayler." 


No.  4. 

*'  Glory  to  God  Almighty  who  rulelh  in  the 
heaveus;  and  in  whose  hands  are  all  the  kingdoms 
of  the  earth  ;  who  raiseth  up  and  casteth  down  at 
his  will;  who  haih  ways  to  confound  the  exalta- 
tion of  man,  and  to  chastize  his  children;  and  to 
make  man  to  know  himself  to  be  as  grass  be- 
fore him,  whose  judgments  are  above  the  liighest 


of  men,  and  his  pity  reacheth  the  deepest  misery'; 
and  the  arm  of  his  mercy  is  underneath  to  lift  up 
the  prisoner  out  of  the  pit,  and  to  save  such. as 
trust  in  Him  from  the  great  destruction,  which 
vain  man,  through  his  folly,  brings  on-  himself ; 
who  hath  delivered  my  soul  out  of  darkness,  and 
made  way  for  my  freedom  out  of  the  prison- 
house,  and  ransomed  me  from  the  great  captivity  \. 
who  divides  the  seas  before  him,  and  removes  the 
mountains  out  of  his  way,  in  the  day  when  he 
takes  upon  him  to  deliver  the  oppressed  out  of 
the  hand  of  him^^at  is  too  mighty  for  Him,  in  the 
earth.  Let  his  namt  be  exalted  for  ever;  and  let 
all  flesh  fear  before  Him  whose  breath  is  life 
to  His  o\yifi*  but  a  consuming  fire  to  the  acjr 


versarv. 


"  And  fb  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  be  everlasting 
dominion  upon  earth,  and  his  kingdom  above' all 
the  powers  of  darkness,  even  that  Christ  bf  whelm 
the  Scriptures  declare,  which  was,  and  is,  and  is 
to  come,  the  light  of  the- world  to  all  generations; 
'of  whose  coming  I  testify,  with  the  rest  of  .the 
children  of  light,  begotten -of  ^e  immortal  Seed, 
Mhose  truth  and  virtue  now  shine  in  the  world 
unto  the  rishfeousness  of  eteraal  life,  and  the 
Saviour  of*  all  that  believe  tliereirr;  who  hath  been 
the '  rock  of  my  salvation,  and  his  Spirit  hath 
"iven  quietness  and  patience  to  my  soul  io  ileep 


84 


LIFE   OF   JAMES   NAVLER. 


LIFE  OF  )AMSS   KAYLBX* 


85 


affliction,  even  for  hi3  name's  sake.    Praises  for 
ever*  ■  ,>  ■• 

"  But  condemned  for  ever  be  all  those  false 
worships,  with  which  any  have  idolized  my  per- 
son, in  the  night  of  my  temptation,  when  the 
power  of  darkness  was  above.  All  their  casting 
off  the  clothes  in  the  way,  their  bowings  and  sing- 
ings, and  all  the  rest  of  those  wild  actions,  which 
^id  any  way  tend  to  dishoiK)ur  the  Lord,  or  draw 
the  minds  of  any  from  the  measure  of  Christ  Jesus 
in  themselves,  to  look  at  flesh  which  is  grass,  or 
to  ascribe  that  to  tl^e  visi1]|[f||Miich  belongs  to 
Christ  Jesus ;  all  that  Jgpondfmn,  by  which  the 
pure  name  of  the  Lord  hath  any  w»y  been  blas- 
phemed through  me,  in  that  time  of  temptation, 
or  the  spirits  of  any  people  grieved  that  truly  love 
the  Lord  Jesus,  throughout  the  whole  world,  of 
what  sort  soever. 


i ... 


"  And  all  those  ranting,  wild  spirits,  which 
then  gathered  about  me,  in  the  time  of  my  dark- 
ness; and  all  their  wild  actions,  and  wicked  words 
against  the  honour  of  God,  and  his  pure  Spirit 
and  people  :  I  deny  the  spirit,  the  power  and  the 
works  thereof,  and  as  far  as  I  gave  advantage, 
through  want  of  judgment,  for  that  evil  spirit  in 
any  to  arise,  I  take  shame  to  myself  justly,  having 
formerly  had  power  over  that  spirit  in  judgment 


and  discemiDg,  wherever  it  was ;  which  darkness 
carae  over  me  through  want  of  watchfulness  and 
obedience  to  the  pure  eye  of  God,  and  diligent 
minding  the  reproof  of  life,  which  condemns  the 
adulterous  spirit.  So  the  adversai7  got  advantage, 
who  ceases  not  to  seek  to  devour,  and  being  taken 
captive  from  tlie  true  light,  [I]  walked  in  the  night, 
where  none  can  work,  as  a  wandering  bird  fit  for 
the  prey;  and  if  the  Lord  of  all  my  mercies  had 
not  rescued  me,  I  bad  perished ;  for  I  was  as  one 
appointed  to  death  and  destruction;  and  there  was 
none  that  could  deliver  me. 

wr  "* 

"  And  this  I  confess^  tFfat  God  may  be  justified 
in  his  judgment,  and  magnified  in  his  miercies 
without  end ;  who  did  not  forsake  his  captive  in  the 
night,  even  when  his  Spirit  was  daily  provoked  and 
grieved ;  but  hath  brought  me  forth  to  give  glory  to 
his  name  for  ever.  And  it  is  in  my  heart  to  confess 
to  God,  and  before  men,  my  folly  and  offence  in 
that  day;  yet  was  there  many  things  formed  against 
me  at  that  day,  to  take  away  my  life,  and  cast 
upon  the  truth,  of  which  I  am  not  guilty  at  all ; 
as  that  accusation  as  if  I  had  committed  adultery 
with  some  of  those  women  who  came  with  us 
from  Exeter  prison ;  and  also  those  who  were  with 
me  at  Bristol,  the  night  before  I  suffered  there.  Of 
both  which  accusations  I  am  clear  before  God, 
who  kept  me  at  that  day^  both  in  thought  and 


m 


LirF   OP   JAMES    NAYLElt. 


nrE    OF   JAMES    NATLER, 


er 


•deed,  as  to  all  women,  as  a  little  child.  God  rs 
my  record.  And  this  I  mention  in  particnTar,tiear- 
4ng  of  some  who  still  cease  not  to  reproach  there- 
■with,  God's  truth  and  people  ;  that  the  mouth  of 
enmity  may  be  shut  from  evil-speaking,  though 
this  touch  not  my  conscience. 

<'  And  this  1  give  forth,  that  it  may  go  as  far  a'^ 

the  offence  against  the  spirit  of  truth  hath  gone 

abroad,  that  all  burthens  may  be  taken  off  with 

the  truth,   and  the  truth  cleared  thereby,  and  the 

true  light  and  all  that  walk  therein ;  and  the  deeds 

of  darkness  be  condemned ;  and  that  all  that  are 

in  darkness  may  not  act  in  th^  night,  butstay  upon 

-God   who   dwells    in    the  light,   \\ho,   with  the 

•workers  of  iniquity,  hath  not   fellowship ;   which 

had  I  done,  when  first  darkness  came  upon  me, 

and  not  been  led  by  others,  I  had  not  run  against 

that  rock  to  be  broken,  which  so  long  had  borne 

.  me,  and  of  whom  I  had  so  largely  drunken,  and 

of  which  I  now  drink  in  measure;  to  whom  b»' 

the  glor>-  of  all,  and  to  Him  must  every  tongue 

<:onfess,   as  Judge   and  Saviour,  God  over  all, 

blessed  for  ever. 

"  James  Naylep. 


i 

i 


Xo.  5.  j^tid  in  that  dai/  zchen  my  God  Vtfted  my 
feet  out  of  the  pit,  was  this  given  forth, 

"  It  is  in  my  heart  to  praise  thee.  Oh  my  God! 
Let  me  never  forget  Thee,  what  thou  hast  been  to 
nie  in  the  night,   by  thy  presence.     In  the  day  of 
trial,  when  I  was  beset  in  darkness,  when  1  was 
cast  out  as  a  wandering  bird,  when  I  was  assaulted 
with  strong  temptations,  then  thy  presence  in  secret 
did  preserve  me;   and  in  a  low  estate  I  felt  thee 
near  me.     When  the  floods  sought  to  sweep  me 
away,  thou  set  a  compass  for  them,   how  far  they 
should  pass  over ;  wfien  my  way  was  through  the 
sea,  and  when  I  passed  under  the  mountains,  there 
was  thou  present  with  me.     When  tlie  weight  of 
the  hills  was  upon  me,  thou  upheldest  me,  else 
had  I  sunk  under  the  earth.     When  I  was  as  one 
altogether  helpless  ;  when  tribulation  and  anguish 
was  upon  me  day  and  night,  and  the  earth  without 
foundation ;  wheu  I  w^nt  on  the   way  of  wrath, 
and  passed  by  the  gates  of  hell ;  when  all  comforts 
stood  afar  off,   and  he  that  is  mine  enemy  had 
dominion ;  when  I  was  cast  into  the  pit,  and  was 
as  one  appointed  to  death ;  when  I  was  between 
the  millstones,  and  as  one  crushed  with  the  weisht 
of  his  adversary,  as  a  Father  thou  wast  with  me, 
and  the  rock  of  thy  presence.     When  the  mouths 
of  lions  roared  against  me,   and   fear  took  hold 
t)f  my  soul  in  the  pit,  then  I  called  upon  thee  m 


89 


IIFE   OF  JAMES   NAYLEK^ 


LIFE   OF   JAMES    NAYIER. 


m 


the  night,  and  my  cries  were  strong  before  thee 
daily,  who  answeredst  me  from  thy  habitation,  and 
deliveredst  me  from  thy  dwelling  place;  saying, 
I  vcill  set  thee  above  all  thy  fears,  and  lift  up  thy 
feet  above  the  head  of  oppression. 

« I  believed  and  was  strengthened,  and  thy  word 

was  salvation.    Thou  didst  fight  on  my  part  when 

1  wrestled  with  death ;  and  when  darkness  would 

have  shut  me  up,  then  thy  light  shone  about  me, 

and  thy  banner  was  over  my  head.     When  my 

work  was  in  the  furnace,  and  as  I  passed  through 

the  fire,  by  thee  I  was  not  consumed,  though  the 

flames  ascended  above  my  head.     When.  I  beheld 

the  dreadful  visions,   and  was  amongst  the  fiery 

spirits,  thy  faith  stayed  me ;  else  through  fear  I 

had  fallen.    I  saw  thee  and  believed ;  so  the  enemy 

could  not  prevail- 

g  «  When  I  look  back  into  thy  works>  I  am  asto-^ 
Tiished ;  and  see  no  end  of  thy  praises.  Glory, 
glory,  to  thee,  saith  my  soul ;  and  let  my  heart  be 
ever  filled  with  thanksgiving.  Whilst  thy  works 
remain,  they  shall  show  forth  thy  power.  Then 
didst  thou  lay  the  foundation  of  the  earth,  and 
ledst  me  under  the  waters ;  and  in  the  deep  didst 
thou  show  me  wonders,  and  the  forming  of  the 
world.  By  thy  hand  thou  ledst  me  in  safety  till 
thou  showedst  me  the  pillars  of  the  earth.    Then 


did  tlie  heavens  shower  down ;  they  were  covered 
with  darkness  and  the  powers  thereof  were  shaken, 
and  thy  glory  descended.  Thou  filledst  the  lower 
parts  of  the  earth  with  gladness,  and  the  springs 
of  the  valleys  were  opened;  Thy  showers  de- 
scended abundantly ;  so  the  earth  was  filled  with 
virtue.  Thou  madest  thy  plant  to  spring,  and  the 
thirsty  soul  became  as  a  watered  garden.  Then- 
didst  thou  lift  me  out  of  the  pit,  and  set  me  forth 
in  the  sight  •  of  my  enemies.  Thou  proclaimedst 
liberty  to  the  captives,  ^nd  calledst  my  acquaint 
tance  near  me.  They  to  whom  I  had  been  a 
wonder  looked  upon  me  ;  and,  in  thy  love,  I  ob- 
tained favour  in  those  who  had  forsook  me.  IThen 
did  gladness  swallow  up  sorrow,  and  I  forsook  all 
my  troubles;  and  I  said  how  good  is  it  that  man 
be  proved  in  the  night,  that  he  may  know  his 
folly ;  that  every  mouth  may  become  silent  in  thy 
hand,  until  thou  makest  man  known  to  himself^ 
aud  hast  slain  the  boaster,  and  showed  him  the 
vanity  that  vexeth  thy  Spirit."  * 

Printed  A.  D.  1659i 


The  foregoing  papers  must  convince  every 
unprejudiced  person,  of  the  sincerity  of  James 
Nayler's  repentance,  and  I  think  will  also  excite  a 


9a 


LIFE    OF   JAMES    NAYLBV. 


LIFE    OF   JAMES    NAYLER. 


91 


I 


a  feeling  of  tender  sympathy  with  hinn  under  h» 
deep  sufferings,  bodily  and  mental.  They  cer- 
.tainly  represent  him  in  an  amiable  point  of  view, 
and  engage  our  attention  and  respect,  as  well  as 
our  sympathy. 

I  ... 

After  his  liberation,  he  continued  some  time  in 
Loudon;  but  it  appears  w«nt  once  as  far  as  Bris- 
tol, where  in  a  public  meeting  he  made  confession 
.of  his  offence,  in  so  powerful  a  manner,  as  drew 
tears  from  nearly  all  present ;  and  many  who  were 
^ol  so  before,  became  reconciled  to  him. 

In  the  year  \660,  he  left  London  with  a  view 
of  returning  to  his  family  in  Yorkshire.  In  the 
course  of  his  journey,  he  was  seen-  by  a  Friend  of 
Hertford,  sitting  by  the  wayside  in  a  very  awful 
frame  of  mind.  The  Friend  invited  him  to  his 
house,  but  he  declined  the  invitation^  signifying  his 
desire  to  press  forward.  He  proceeded  into  Hun- 
tingdonshire, travelling  on  foot,  and  was^  observed 
by  a  Friend  in  that  county,  passing  through  a 
town,  with  such  a  solemn  countenance,  as  indi- 
cated his  being  redeemed  from  the  earth,  and  as  a 
stranger  or  pilgrim  in  it,  who  was  seeking  a  better 
country  aud  inheritance. 

When  he  was  a  few  miles  north  of  Huntingdon 
he  was  taken  ill,  and  it  was  said  robbed  and  left 


bound.  Being  found  by  a  countryman,  he  was 
taken  to  a  Friend's  house  at  Ho^m,  near  King's 
Eipton.  At  the  latter  place  lived  Thomas  Parnel, 
a  physician,  who  came  to  visit  him.  After  his 
frieuds  had  performed  some  kind  ofEces  to  him, 
he  said:  "  You  have  refreshed  my  body,  the  Lord 
refresh  your  souls."  He  did  not  live  long  after 
his  removal  to  this  Friend's  house,  but  departed 
tliis  life  in  peace,  about  the  9th  month,  1 660,  in 
the  44th  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  in  Thomas 
Parnel's  burying  ground,  at  King's  Ripton. 

About  two  hours  before  his  decease,  he  ex- 
pressed himself  to  the  following  import:  "  There 
is  a  Spirit  M-hich  I  feel,  that  delights  to  do  no 
evil,  nor  to  revenge  any  wrong ;  but  delights  to 
endure  all  things,  in  hope  to  enjoy  its  own  in  the 
end.  Its  hope  is  to  outlive  all  wrath  and  conten- 
tion, and  to  weary  out  all  exaltation  and  cruelty, 
or  whatever  is  of  a  nature  contrary  to  itself.  It 
sees  to  the  end  of  all  temptations.  As  it  bears  no 
evil  in  itself,  so  it  conceives  none  to  any  other.  If 
It  be  betrayed,  it  bears  it ;  for  its  ground  or  spring 
IS  the  mercies  and  forgiveness  of  God.  Its  crown 
IS  meekness;  its  life  is  everlasting  lov-e  unfeigned; 
It  takes  its  kingdom  with  intreaty  and  not  with 
contention,  and  keeps  it  by  lowliness  of  mind.  la 
God  alone  it  can  rejoice,  though  none  else  regard 
Jt,  or  can  own  its  life.     It  is  conceived  in  sorrow, 


f/M 


9^ 


11F£   OF   JAMES   NAYLER. 


and  brought  forth  without  any  to  pity  it,  nor  doth 
it  murmur  at  grief  and  oppression.  It  never  re- 
joiceth  but  through  sufferings,  for  with  the  world's 
joy  it  is  murdered.  I  found  it  alone,  being  for- 
saken, I  have  fellowship  therein  with  them  who 
lived  in  dens  and  desolate  places  in  the  earth; 
who  through  death  obtained  this  resurrection  and 
eternal  holy  life." 


CBAPTEE  IX, 


X/FJS  OF  JOHN  LILBURNE. 


■A 

A 

■i 


According  to  the  account  published  in 
ihe  Biographical  Dictionaff  of  1798,  in  15  octavo 
volumes,  this  singular  man  was  born  in  the  county 
of  Durham,  in  the  year  16 18.  Tliough  he  wa^ 
Tiot,  for  the  greatest  part  of  his  life,  a  member  of 
the  Society  of  Friends ;  yet,  as  he  at  ^length  re- 
ceived their  principles  and  died  in  their  faith,  he 
seems  to  claim  a  place  in  these  Memoirs.  And 
the  reader  is  desired  particularly  to  notice,  the 
difference  Ijetween  the  turbulence  of  the  partizan, 
which  marked  the  early  and  the  principal  part  of 
his  life ;  and  the  calmness  amd  meekness  of  his 
'latter  days,  after  he  had  adopted  the  principles  of 
-<he  despised  people,  x:alled  Quakers. 


His  father  was  possessed  of  a  valuable  estate, 
-«nd  resided  at  Thickney  -Purcharden,  the  family 


fe. 


94 


LIFE    OP   JOHN    LILBURNE. 


seat,  in  the  county  of  Durham.  John  was  a  younger 
son,  and  being  placed  out  as  an  apprentice  to  a  do- 
thier  or  woollen-draper  in  London,  when  only  twelve 
years  o(  age,  he  must  have  acquired  a  very  small 
stock  of  learning.  The  master  was  a  Puritan;  and 
the  apprentice  had  been  educated  in  the  saoie 
religious  sentiments.  His  deficiency  in  learning 
was  supplied  by  a  precocity  of  parts,  and  forward- 
ness of  disposition,  which  rendered  his  situation  as 
an  apprentice,  uneasy  to  him,  and  he  complained 
to  the  Chamberlain  of  the  City,  of  his  master's  ill 
usage.  1  hus  early  did  he  manifest  a  disposition, 
impatient  of  control,  which  he  carried  with  him 
through  the  greatest  part  of  his  life. 

The  thnes  in  \\hlch  Lilbnrrie  lited,  were  such 
as  were  likely  to  find  employment  for  his  active 
and  enterprising  mind.  When  his  appi-enticeship 
expired,  instead  of  prosecuting  his  trade,  he  at- 
tached himself  to  the  discontented  party  of  that 
day,  and  in  the  year  1636,  was  sent  to  Holland  by 
Dr.  Bastwick,  who  was  a  prisoner  by  order  of  the 
Star  Chamber,  in  the  Gatehouse,  London.  Lil- 
burne's  errand  was  to  obtain  ihe  printing  of  some 
pieces  in  Holland,  unfavourable  both  to  the  civil 
and  ecclesiastical  government  of  this  country,  the 
principal  of  which,  was  Bastwick's  «  Merry 
Liturgy."  For  the  distribution  of  these  and  other 
similar  publications,  he  was  brought  before  the 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    LlLtJtRNE. 


i)5 


High  Commission  Court,  and  sentenced  to  be 
whipped  at  the  cart's  tail,  from  Fleet  Prison  to 
the  Old  Palace  Yard ;  there  to  stand  two  hours 
on  the  pillory  ;  to  remain  in  the  Fleet  Prison  till 
he  conformed  to  the  rules  of  the  court ;  to  pay  a 
fine  of  5001.  to  the  king,  land  to  find  security  for 
Jiis  good  behaviour. 

^He  bore  his  punishment  \fith  so  much  fortitude 
and  spirit,  that  he  acquired  the  name  of  "  Free-t 
born  John"  from  his  enemies ;  while  his  friends 
esteemed  him  as, a  saint.  These  circumstances 
occurred  in  the  year  I6i7,  and  it  appears  that  he 
continued  a  prisoner  in  the  Fleet  tjll  1640,  part 
of  the  time  loaded  with  double  irons  on  his  arms 
and  legs,  and  confined  in  one  of  the  worst  wards. 
Here  he  was  suspected  of  setting  the  prison  on 
fire,  but  probably  without  cause.  The  fear  of 
him,  however,  produced  some  amelioration  of  his 
situation,  by  which  means  he  found  opportunity 
to  publish  a  piece  of  his  own,  entitled  "  The 
Christian  Man's  Trial."  > 


The  party  to  ^hith  Lilbume  was  attached, 
gaining  the  ascendancy,  he  was  liberated ;  yet  his 
restless  spirit  soon  brought  him  again  into  difficuh- 
ties.  Early  in  the  year  1641,  he  was  arraigned 
before  the  House  of  Lords,  for  an  assault  upon 
the  Governor  of  the  Tower,   Colonel  Lunsford; 


96 


LIFE   OF  JOHN    ULBURNE. 


LIFE    OP   JOHN    LILBURNfe. 


97 


l)ut  was  soon  dismissed;  and  in  1646,  and  some 
succeeding  years,  he  obtained  decrees  for  a  pecu- 
niary remuneration  on  account  of  his  sufforings, 
out  of  the  estates  of  those  who  were  attached  to 
the  royal  party. 

The  civil  wars  now  broke  out  with  great  vio- 
lence, and  Lilburne  of  course  attached  himself  to 
the  Parliament.     He  entered  the  army  as  a  cap- 
tain under  the  EarJ  of  Essex,  and  was  taken  pri- 
soner in  an  engagement  at  Brentford,  but  was 
ex(!hanged  for  one  considerably  above  his  rank, 
after   being   tried   at   Oxford   for  high   treason. 
When  the  Earl  pressed  the  Scotch  Covenant  upon 
his   followers,   Lilburne  differed  with  him,   and 
through  Cromweirs  interest  was  advanced  in  the 
^rmy.    In  this  station  he  signalized  himself  on 
various   occasions,   particularly  in  the   battle  of 
Marston   Moor,  near  York ;   and   was  advanced 
to  the  station  of  lieutenant-colonel,  ^nder  the  Earl 
of  Manchester.     This  appears  to  have  been  the 
tennination  of  his  military  career;  for,  quarrelling 
with  (lie  Earl,   he  consequently  lost  his  station 
under  him,  and  he  was  also  committed,  first  to 
Newgate,  and  afterwards  to  the  Tower,   for  his 
impioper  conduct  to  the  Earl,  as  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Lords.     He  continired  prisoner  till  the 
year  l648,  when  an  order  was  made  to  discharge 
him  from  his    imprisonment,  and  to  make  liiin 
rompensalion  for  His  snflferiHg?. 


In  the  year  1649,  he  was  again  brought  to  trial 
for  high  treason,  against  Oliver  Cromwell  and  the 
House  of  Commons;  both  of  whom  he  had  repre- 
sented, in  divers  publications,  as  destroying  the 
liberties  of  the  people  of  England.     '^The  expres- 
sions which  he  used  in  these  publications,  manifest 
the  most  undaunted  courage  in   the  support  of 
those  principles  of  liberty  in  which  he  had  en- 
gaged.    One    of   the  publications   wa«   entitled, 
"An   Impeachment  of  ^  High -Treason    against 
Oliver  Cromwell,  and  his  Son-in-law  Henry  Ireton, 
Esquires,  late  Members  of  the  late  forcibly  dis- 
solved House  of  Commons,  presented  to  public 
View,  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Lilburne,  close 
Prisoner  in  the  Tower  of  London,  for  his  real, 
true,  and  zealous  Afiection  to  the   Liberties  of 
this  Nation."     The  bold  title  of  this  piece  will 
convey  an  idea  of  the  spirit  in  \\  hich  it  was  writ- 
ten, and  both  Cromwell,  and  the  whole  Govern- 
ment as  then  constituted,  are  represented  in  such  a 
degrading  point  of  view,  as  must  have  been  very 
gallmg  to  their  feelings;  and,  considering  the  point 
and  ability  with  which  Lilburne  wrote,  very  in- 
jurious to  their  power. 

In  the  course  of  his  trial  he  manifested  that 
undaunted  spirit  and  genuine  love  of  liberty,  which 
had  always  characterized  him.  So  low  was  tlie  opi- 
nion which  he  entertained  of  the  then  existin©" 

o 


i 

T 

I 


f 


#8 


-tlFE   OF   JOHN    LILBURNE. 


goverament,  that  be  declared  what  he  had  done 
was  not  only  no  high-treason;  but  that  the  govern- 
ment was  such  that  no  high -treason  could  be 
committed  against  it,  and  that  therefore  all  true 
EngliAmcn  were  obliged  to  oppose  the  tyranny 
that  was  exercised. 


The  trial  lasted  three  days,  during  which  Lil- 
J)ume  pleaded  his  own  cause  with  so  much  force 
of  argument,  that  the  jury  unanimously  acquitted 
liim  of  the  charges  brought  against  him. 

When  the  verdict  was  pronounced,  the  people 
in  Guildhall,  where  he  was  tried,  shouted  for  joy, 
for  about  half  an  hour;  and  the  judges,  who  had 
used  all  die  means  they  could  to  condemn  the 
prisoner,  felt  much  chagrined  with  the  verdict, 
and  with  the  demonstrations  of  joy  which  it  pro- 
duced. It  appears  from  this  trial,  as  well  as  from 
various  other  circumstances,  that  much  dissatis- 
faction existed  with  the  ruling  powers,  who  kd 
disappointed  the  expectations  of  the  people  in 
irarious  matters,  which  they  had  given  reason  to 
suppose  would  be  reformed,  in  case  they  came 
into  power;  and  this  disappointment  so  operated 
upon  Lilbume's  irritable  mind,  as  to  produce  the 
violent  conduct  and  expressions  for  which  he 
yms  tried. 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    LILBURNE. 


99 


Lilburne  was  no  doubt  a  man  of  a  turbulent 
spirit ;  so  much  so,  that  it  was  sarcastically  said 
of  him,  if  he  only  were  left  in  the  world,  John 
would  be  against  Lilburne,  and  Lilburne  against 
John.  He,  however,  possessed  an  honest  inde- 
peudence  of  mind,  with  a  consistent  love  of  li- 
berty. Many  as  well  as  himself  had  risqued  their 
lives,  in  opposing  the  monarchy  and  hierarchy  of 
the  preceding  rulers ;  and  they  vainly  hoped,  that 
after  demolishing  a  government  which  was  disa- 
greeable to  them,  and  of  whicj)  they  had  many 
just  causes  of  complaint,  they  should  be  able  to 
erect  one  that  would  be  perfect.  In  this,  how* 
ever,  as  is  commonly  the  case,  they  were  sorrow- 
fully disappointed;  and  according  to  their  own 
representations,  they  were  much  more  dissatisfied 
with  the  new  than  with  the  old  state  of  things. 


It  rarely  happens  that  those  who  are  instru- 
mental in  the  destruction  of  existing  governments, 
are  qualified  to  supply  their  places  with  better. 
But  in  all  these  commotions,  the  eye  of  the 
Christian  is  directed  to  that  over-ruling  Provi- 
dence, who  makes  them  ultimately  conducive  to 
his  glory,  and  to  the  benefit  of  mankind.  "  His 
way  is  in  the  whirlwind  and  in  the  storm,  [politi- 
cal as  well  as  natural,]  and  tlie  clouds  are  as  the 
dust  under  his  feet.'* 

F  2 


160 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    LILBURNE. 


MFE    OP   JOHIJ    LILBURNE. 


1<>1 


I 


In  1651,    Lilburne  involved  himself  in  fresh 
contention,  in  consequence  of  which  the  Parlia- 
ment fined  him  7000 1.  and  banished  him  from  the 
Dation.    Before  the  act  of  banishinent  could  pass, 
he  fled  to  Amsterdam,    but,    returning   without 
leave,    be   was   again   arrested   and   imprisoned. 
Dover  Gastle  was,  in  1655,  the  place  of  his  con- 
iinement;  and  it  was  during  his  residence  there, 
that  he  was  visited  by  Luke  Howard,  a  Friend  of 
that  town.    , By  his  religious  conversation  he  was 
not  only  convinced  of  the  Principles  of  the  Society 
to  which  Howard  belonged ;  but  his  mind  became 
settled  in  a  degree  of  calmness,   to  which  he  had 
before  been  much  a  stranger.    His.  wife  had  mani- 
fested much  affectionate  attachment  to  him  in  his 
sufferings,  as  he  had  also  done  to  her,  and  know- 
ing, I  suppose,  of  the  altejration  which  had  taken 
place  in  her  husband's  mind,   she  endeavoured  to 
strengthen  him  with  the  following  .advice,  in  a 
letter  which  she  wrote  to  him. 

'*  My  Dear,  Retain  a  sober,  patient  spirit  within 
thee,  ^which  I  am  confident  thou  shalt  see  will  be 
of  more  force  to  recover  thee,  than  all  thy  keen 
metal  hath  been.  I  hope  God  is  doing  a  work 
upon  thee  and  me  too,  as  shall  make  us  study 
ourselves  more  than,  we  have  done." 

This  advice  was  t-so  grateful  to  her  husband, 
tliat  in  replying  to  her,  ^  he  repeated  it,  with  these 


observations :  "  Oh  my  dear  love !  I  am  deeply 
entered  into  my  part  of  it.  The  mighty  power  of 
God  enable  thee  to  get  in  too,  and  also  to  go 
through  thine;  and  effectually  to  go  cheerfully 
and  willingly  along,  hand  in  hand  with  me ;  which 
would  render  thee  much  more  amiable,  lovely, 
and  pleasant  in  my  eyes,  although  thou  wert 
clothed  in  rags,  than  thou  couldst  be  to  me  in  thy 
drawing  back,  or  standing  stiil  where  thou  wast, 
when  I  last  saw  thee,  though  therein  thou  wast 
clothed  all  over  with  rich  and  outwardly  glistering 
earthly  diamonds,  and  in  the  greatest  of  earthly 
prosperity,.'' 

"  I  am  sorry  thou  art  so  straightly  put  to  it  for 
money ;  but  to  live  on  God  by  faith,  in  the  depth 
of  straights,  is  the  lively  condition  of  a  christian. 
O !  that  thy  spirit  could  attain  to  this,  according  to 
thy  desire  in  thy  letter,  and  my  own  present  frame 
of  spirit.  I  now  can  contentedly  feed  upon  bread 
and  cheese,  and  small  beer  alone,  for  saving  of 
money. 

"  And  for  my  liberty,  about  which  thow  so 
weariest  and  spendest  thyself,  as  thy  letter  ac- 
quaints me  thou  dost,  I  can  say  to  thee,  that  1  am 
in  my  present  temper  of  spirit,  really  ready  with 
Peter,  at  the  sight  of  the  glorious  transfiguration 
of  Christ,  to  say :  '  It  is  good  being  here ;'  for 

F  3 


»■'■ 


102 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    LILBURNE. 


ZIFE   OF  JOHK   tILBtfKNF. 


105 


here,  in  Dover  Castle,  through  the  loving  kindness 
of  God,  I  have  met  with  a  more  clear,  plain,  and 
evident  knowledge  of  God  and  myself,  and  his 
gracious  outgoings  to  my  soul,  than  ever  I  had  in 
all  my  life-time,  not  excepting  my  glorying  and 
rejoicing  condition  under  the  bishops.  And  now 
submissively  and  heartily  I  can  say,  the  will  of  my 
Heavenly  Father  be  done  in  me,  by  me,  and  for 
me;  in  whose  will  I  leave  thee  and  thine,  with  all 
thy  and  my  friends,  and  rest  thine  in  the  strength 
of  renewedness  of  true  love. 

«  JOHN  LILBURNE." 

^<  From  Dover  Castle,  the  place  of  the 
present  enjoyed,  delightful  Dispen- 
sation of  the  eternal,  everlasting 
Love  of  God  to  ray  Soul,  the  4th 
of  the  10th  Month,  1655." 


Although  Lilburne  had  imbibed  the  Principles^ 
of  Friends  in  general,  it  seem*  to  have  required 
considerable  time  to  convince  hira  that  fighting 
was  inconsistent  with  the  spirit  and  precepts  of 
the  gospel.  This  prevented  hira,  for  some  time, 
from  signing  a  declaration  never  to  draw  the  sword 
against  CromweH's  Government,  which  would 
probably  have  earlier  obtained  hira  his  liberty. 
But  continuing  faithful  to  the  discoveries  of  the 
Light  of  Christ,  he  became  so  fully  convinced 
of  this  gospel  doctrine,  that  he  gave  forth  the  fol- 
lowing paper  in  print. 

**  I  have  now  tfie  faithful  and  true  witness  in 
my  own  soul,  that  the  Lord  himself  is  become^ 
within  me,  the  teacher  of  my  soul,  and  enabler  of 
me  to  walk  in  a  measure  of  his  pure  ways  and 
paths;  yea,  and  so  clear  a  teacher  within  me,  is  he 
already  become  unto  me,  as  that  I  with  confidence 
believe  my  inward  teacher  shall  never  now  more 
be  removed  into  a  corner ;  but  is,  and  shall  be,  as 
a  continual  voice  speaking  in  my  ears  :  '  This  is 
Ae  way,  walk  in  it.*  By  this  divine  teaching  I 
am  now  daily  taught  to  die  to  sin,  and  led  up  by 
it  into  living  power,  to  be  raised  up  and  enabled  to 
live  in  a  pure  measure  of  righteousness :  and  by 
which  inward  and  spiritual  teachings,  I  am,  I  say 
again,  led  up  into  power  in  Christ,  by  which  I 

r  4 


104 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    LILBURNE. 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    LILBURNE. 


105 


particularly  can,  and  do  hereby  witness,  that  I  am 
already  dead  or  crucified  to  the  very  occasions 
and  real  grounds  of  all  outward  wars,  and  carnal 
sword  fighting,  and  fleshly  bustlings  and  contests ; 
and  that,  therefore,  confidently  I  now  believe,  I 
shall  never  hereafter  be  a  user  of  a  temporal 
sword  more,  nor  a  joiner  with  those  that  do  so. 

"  j\nd  this  I  do  here  solemnly  declare,  not  in 
the  least  to  avoid  persecution,  or  for  any  political 
ends  of  my  own,  or  in  the  least  for  the  satisfaction 
of  the  wills  of  any  of  my  great  adversaries,  or  for 
satisfying  the  carnal  wijl  of  my  poor  weak  afflicted 
wife;  but,  by  the  special  movings  and  compulsions 
of  God,  now  upon  my  soul,  am  I  in  truth  and 
righteousness  compelled  thus  to  declare ;  that  so  I 
may  take  away  from  my  adversaries  all  their  fig- 
leaf  covers  or  pretences,  for  their  continuing  of 
my  every  way  unjust  bonds  ;  and  that  thereby,  if  I 
must  yet  be  an  imprisoned  suflerer,  it  may  this 
day  forward  be,  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus ; 
which  truth  I  witness  to  be  truly  professed  and 
practised  by  the  savouriest  of  people,  called 
Quakers. 

"  And  to  this  my  present  declaration,  which  I 
exceedingly  long  and  earnestly  desire  to  have  in 
print,  and  for  which  I  know  that  I  can  cheerfully 


and  assuredly  lay  down  my  life,  if  I  be  called  to 
witness  the  truth  of  it,  I  subscribe  my  name, 

"  JOHN  LILBURNE/' 

"  From  my  innocent  and  every  way 
causeless  captivity,  in  Dover  Cas- 
tle, the  place  of  my  soul's  delight- 
ful and  contentful  abode,  where 
I  have  really  and  substantially 
found  that  which  my  soul  many 
years  has  sought  diligently  after, 
and,  with  unsatisfied  longiogness, 
thirsted  to  enjoy,this present  Istday 
of  the  week,  being  the  4tb  of  the 
3d  month,  1655."* 


From  Sewell's  account  it  appears  that  Lilb'urne 
continued  a  prisoner  till  after  the  death  of  Crom- 
well, when  he  was  released.  But  it  is  said  in  the 
Biographical  Work  already  noticed,  that  he  set- 
tled at  Eltbam,  in  Kent,  passing  the  remainder  of 
his  days  in  undisturbed  and  undisturbing   tran- 

*  I  am  apprehensive  this  should  be  1656,  in  which  year! 
lind,  in  Whiting's  Catalogue,  a  piece  published  by  Lilburne, 
entitled,  «*  The  Resurrection  of  John  Lilburne,  now  a  Pri- 
soner in  Dover  Castle,  declared  and  manifested," 

r  6 


■^. 


I,' 


i 


106 


LIFE   OF   JOHN    LILBURNE, 


quillity;  and  that  he  died  there  in  1657.  How- 
ever, Sewell,  whose  account  I  take  to  be  correct, 
says,  that  he  died  in  London  in  1660,  continuing 
steadfast  to  the  doctrines  he  had  embraced. 

lu  this  instance  we  have  a  striking  proof  of  the 
influence  of  true  Christianity.  Naturally  of  a 
turbulent  and  irritable  disposition,  fostered  by 
circumstances  which  led  to  the  continued  indul- 
gence of  his  inclinaUons,  the  entire  change  in 
Lilburne's  habits  and  views,  during  the  prime  of 
life,  affords  a  remarkable  example  of  that  conver- 
sion, which  the  Apostle  describes,  under  the  figure 
of  becoming  a  nezo  man.  Happy  would  it  be  if 
Christian  belief  were  more  generally  thus  in- 
fluencial  I 


*twea99999t 


CHAPTEU   X, 


LIFE  of  GEORGE-  FOX  the  Youmer. 


It  does  not  appear  that  the  subject  of  this- 
Memoir,  was  any  relation  to  the  individual  whose 
life  constitutes  the  first  volume  of  this  work.  Hi& 
was  called  the  Younger  for  the  sake  of  distinction, 
both  of  them  being  eminent  Member*  and  Minis- 
ters of  the  Religious  Society  to  which  they  be- 
longed. He  was  a  native  of  Charsfield  a  village 
about  five  miles  north  of  Woodbridge,  in  Suffolk. 
Of  the  time  of  his  birth,  or  the  circumstances  of 
his  parents,  I  find  no  notice.  He  joined  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends  about  the  year  1655,  and  both 
laboured  and  suffered  much  in  support  of  thosi^ 
gospel  truths,  which  he  most  surely  believjBd. 


V 


108 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX, 


He  was  present  at  the  General  Quarter  Sessions 
held  at  Edinundsbury  the  9th  of  October,  1655, 
where  George  Whitehead  and  two  others  were 
convicted  as  "  Common  Disturbers  of  Magistrates 
and  Ministers ;"  though  neither  of  them  had  spoken 
a  word  to  any  Magistrate  or  Minister,  before  they 
were  taken  into  custody.  The  justices  who  com- 
mitted them  were  their  sole  accusers,  and  incensed 
the  others  against  them;  and  an  ignorant  jury  be- 
ing impannelled,  they,  by  direction  of  the  court, 
soon  found  the  prisoners  guilty;  on  which  they 
were  fined  20  nobles  each,  and  committed  to  pri- 
son till  payment  should  be  made.  George  Fox 
the  Youno-er  observins;  the  hard  treatment  of  his 
friends,  and  especially  the  prejudice  expressed  by 
Justice  Gurdon  against  them,  was  troubled  at  it, 
and  thus  addressed  the  justice  as  he  was  coming 
out  of  the  sessions  house.  "  Repent  of  thy  unjust 
actions  this  day,  for  otherwise  thou  canst  not 
escape  the  just  judgments  of  God." 

Upon  hearing  these  words.  Justice  Gurdon 
laid  hold  on  him,  and  had  him  before  the  bench, 
where  sureties  were  demanded  till  the  next  ses- 
sions, and  qn  his  non-compliance  he  was  sent  to 
prison  with  his  friends.  Here  their  usage,  as  was 
t4>o  frequently  the  case,  was  very  hard ;  for  they 
were  lodged  in  the  common  ward  among  felons, 


THE   YOUNGER. 


log 


in  a  low  dungeon-like  place,  under  the  market* 
house*  w  ith  a  damp  earthen  floor,  where  they  la\  on 
rye  straw.  They  appear  also  to  have  incurred  the 
anger  of  the  jailer,  for  not  purchasing  his  strong 
liquors,  and  for  testifying  against  the  drunkenness^ 
and  swearing,  and  other  disorders  of  his  house* 

In  the  time  of  their  imprisonment,  we  are  in- 
formed that  George  Fox  received  a  gift  and  part 
in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  He  and  other 
fellow-prisoners  were  released  by  an  order  of 
Cromwell  and  his  Council,  dated  l6ih  October^ 
1656,  which  extended  also  to  their  friends  impri- 
soned at  Colchester  and  Ipswich.  At  Bury  the 
order  was  executed  by  Sir  Francis  Russel,  a  con- 
scientious and  compassionate  man,  averse  to  per- 
secution. He  sent  his  clerk  to  see  the  prisoners 
set  at  liberty;  and  instead  of  an  order  for  them  to 
be  sent  home,  he  kindly  gave  them  an  order  or 
warrant  to  produce  in  their  defence,  if  occasion 
should  require,  that  they  might  travel  without 
molestation. 


During  his  imprisonment,  and  after  his  libera- 
tion, he  published  many  religious  addresses  to 
])eople  of  various  classes,  particularly  to  the  Army 
and  Parliament.  ITiese  contain  much  interestinsr 
matter ;  and  his  plain  dealing  and  prophetic  warn- 


a  10 


XIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


ings  remarkably  manifest  the  intrepidity  of  hi« 
spirit,  and  the  clearness  of  his  views.  The  fol- 
lowing paragraph  addressed  to  "  the  Army  and 
Committee,  that  had  turned  out  the  Parliament," 
appears  to  deserve  transcribing,  for  the  justness  of 
its  sentiments,  and  the  predicting  voice  of  its 
declarations. 


"  Meddle  not  to  establish  religion  and  teachers 
by  an  outward  law,  for  verily  if  ye  do,  ye  will  be 
broken.  Let  that  alone  to  Christ,  whose  work  it 
IS.  Consider  all  that  went  before  you  of  late 
years,  that  would  be  meddling  with  such  things, 
the  Lord  broke  them  to  pieces ;  and  they  were 
warned  in  their  day  as  ye  are  now.  And  let  not 
the  victories  which  ye  have  obtained,  nor  being 
preserved  in  so  many  overturnings,  wherein  ye 
have  been  made  instrumental ;  nor  your  strength, 
courage,  nor  ^visdom  puff  you  up ;  for  thus  saith 
the  Lord  God,  even  as  earthen  vessels  are  in  the 
hands  of  a  potter,  (who  hath  power  to  dash  them 
one  against  another  until  they  be  broken,  or  to 
break  them  in  pieces  by  another  thing  that  appears 
more  weak  than  they,)  even  so  are  you  in  my  hand, 
«aith  the  Lord ;  and  I  can  confound  your  wisdom, 
and  take  away  your  courage,  and  smite  you  with 
faintness  and  dauntedness  of  spirit  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye.  Therefore,  seek  not  yourselves,  for  if 
ye  do,  your  day  will  be  short.'* 


THE  YOUNGER. 


Ill 


In  the  year  1658,  as  he  was  preaching  in  a 
meeting  at  Dunstall  or  Tunstall,  in  Suffolk,  he 
was  violently  opposed  by  one  John  Tokely,  who, 
in  a  furious  manner,  came  towards  him  with  a 
drawn  sword ;  but  when  he  saw  that  George  faced 
him  without  fear,  he  retired  and  fetched  a  loaded 
gun,  which  he  fired  at  him,  and  tlie  shot  went 
over  his  head.  Georg^e  undaunted,  continued  his 
preaching  undisturbed  at  the  occurrence,  which  his 
opposer  observing,  from  the  force  of  sudden  con- 
viction, exclaimed:  "Your  faith  is  strong;"  and 
went  away. 


At  another  time,  as  the  subject  of  this  Memoir 
was  preaching  in  the  market-place  at  Aldborough, 
he  was  seized  by  a  bailiff  and  put  out  of  the  town ; 
but  he  soon  returned,  and  had  a  meeting  there,  at 
a  widow's  house,  the  same  evening;  whence  he 
was  taken  and  sent  to  prison.  He  was  not  how- 
ever long  detained;  for,  in  four  days  after,  we 
find  him  again  preaching  to  the  people  in  the 
steeple-house  at  South  wold,  after  the  priest  had 
done;  but  his  christian  concern  for  them  was  ill 
requited  by  the  ruder  sort,  who  beat  him,  threw 
him  violently  upon  the  stones,  and  haled  him 
through  the  streets  to  the  bailiff  s  house,  who 
committed  him  to  prison,  and  ordered  him  to  be 
put  into  the  inner  ward,  to  prevent  his  speakinj^ 
to  the  people. 


u^ 


LIFE!  OF   GEORGE   FOX, 


THE   YOUNGEEi 


5 


i 


In  the  lUh  month,  1659,  he  wrote  to  the  Par- 
liament and  their  Army,  whom  he  thus  addressed  : 
"  Your  day  into  darkness  is  tunied;  the  sun  is 
gone  down  over  you ;  you  have  had  a  large  day, 
and  power  given  unto  you,  to  have  done  the  will 
of  God;  but  you  have  abused  your  power,  and 
slighted  your  day,  and  you  have  refused  to  do  the 
Lord's  work,  and  have  sought  to  serve  yourselves, 
and  not   the  Lord.      Therefore,   in  justice   and 
righteousness  is  the  day  wherein  you  might  have 
wrought  for  God,  taken  from  you,  and  the  thick 
dark  night  of  confusion  is  come  upon  you,  wherein 
you  are  groping  and  stumbling,  and  cannot  work. 
The  decree  is  gone  out  against  you,  and  cannot 
be  recalled."     This  is  the  commencement  of  his 
address,  and  he  goes  on  much  in  the  same  strain, 
laying  upon  them  their  unfaithfulness  to  the  cause 
which  they  at  first  espoused,  and  showing  them  in 
plain  terms  the  consequence  of  their  unfaithful- 
ness.     A  copy  in    print  was   delivered  to  each 
Member  of  Parliament   before  General   Monk 
came  to  London. 

In  the  year  1660,  while  he  was  travelling  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  the  county  of  Essex,  his 
mind  was  drawn  to  appoint  a  meeting  at  Har- 
wich, at  which  place  the  magistrates  had  mani- 
fested a  persecuting  disposition  towards  his  friends. 


115 


On  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting,  which  was 
on  the  first  of  the  week,  the  magistrates  con>pelled 
a  boat,  which  contained  about  forty  persons  cominr 
to  the  meeting  from  the  Suffolk  side  of  the  river 
to  return  with  its  passengers.  Two  men,  servants 
of  Robert  Grassingham,  a  shipwright  to  the  ad- 
miralty, whom  their  master  had  sent  to  bring  some 
Friends  over  the  river,  were  not  only  prevented 
from  executing  their  master's  direction ;  but  were 
put  into  the  stocks  and  contimied  there  for  several 
hours.. 

Notwithstanding  these  acts  of  illiberality  and 
violence,  the  meeting  was  held  for  a  considerable 
time    without    interruption,     and    George    Fox 
preached  to  the  people  about  two  hours ;  but  b^ 
fore  the  meeting  was  quite  finished,  a  great  com- 
pany of  sailors  and  others  came  to  the   house 
where  it  was  held,  and  behaved  with  great  rude- 
ness,  using  very  violent  and  abusive   language. 
His  zeal  was  j.ustly  kindled  on  this  occasion,  and 
feeling  what  he  thought  sufficient  aulhorityj   he 
proclaimed :  "  Wo,  wo,  unto   the  rulers  of  this 
nation,  who  suffer  sueh  ungodliness  as  this,  and  do 
not  seek  to  suppress  it."      This,  probably  with 
some  addition,  was  soon  reported  to  the  magis- 
trates,  who  came  aiKl  ordered  their  officers  to 
apprehend  him  in  the  king's  name,  Charles  the  2d 


114 


IIFE    OP   GEORGE   FOX. 


/ 

\ 


being  then  restored.  The  mayor,  without  any 
mittimus,  or  poiuting  out  any  law  that  had  been 
broken,  committed  him  to  prison,  where  his  friend, 
Bobert  Grassingham,.  voluntarily  and  out  of  pure 
love,  accon^panied  him  aud  continued  with  him. 

Before  hi«  removal  from  Harwich,  he  wrote  to 
King  Charles  on  his  restoration.  This  he  entitles, 
'*  A  noble  Salutation  and  a  faithful  Greeting  unto 
thee  Charles  Stuart,  who  art  now  proclaimed. 
King  of  England,  Scotland,  France,  and  Ireland.'^ 


The  following  paragraph  from  the  eonclusion 
will  show  the  plain  dealing  which  he  used  towards 
the  king,  as  well  as  to  those  who  had  hold  of  the 
reins  of  government,  before  his  restoration. 


Hi 


*'  And  now.  Oh  Kinglas  thou  expects  the  bles- 
sing and  presence  of  the  Lord  with  thee,  in  thy 
government,  fear  and  dread  his  presence,  by  stand- 
ing  in  awe  of  his  living  witness,  the  Light  which 
he  hath  placed  in  thy  conscience,  to  guide  and 
direct  thee  ia  all  thy  ways,  that  his  wrath  may  be 
turned  away  from  thee;  that  so  this  Scripture 
may  not  be  fulfilled  upon  the  people  of  this 
nation :  God  gave  them  a  king  in  his  anger,  and 
took  him  away  in  his  sore  displeasure.  But  if  it 
•should  prove  so^  I  shall  have  peace,  for  I  am  clear 


THE   YOUNGER. 


11^ 


of  thy  blood ;  inasmuch  as  in  plainness  I  have  let 
tliee  see  how  things  have  been,  and  how  they  may 
or  shall  be,  and  wherein  thy  danger  stands,  and 
how  that  righteousness  only  establisheth  the  throne. 
And  my  desire  is,  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  that 
thou  mightest  consider  them  in  the  principle  of 
life  and  wisdom,  and  thereby  come  to  be  saved 
from  that  destruction,  which,  in  God's  eternal 
Light,  I  see  Aee  in  great  danger  of.** 

The  address  from  which  the  above  extract  is 
made,  contains  a  great  variety  of  matter  on  various 
subjects  relating  to  the  government.  It  was  dated 
from  Harwich  jail,  the  l6th  of  the  3d  month 
called  May,  I66O,  and  a  copy  of  it  in  manuscript, 
was  delivered  to  the  king  by  Richard  Hubber- 
thorne,  the  4th  of  the  4th  month  following;  and  a& 
many  of  the  subjects  treated  of  in  this  address 
might  be  of  use  to  others,  as  well  as  to  the  king^ 
it  was  prmted  for  general  service. 

After  they  had  continued  some  time  in  prison 
at  Harwich,  a  mittimus  was  sent  to  the  jailer,  in 
which  Fox  was  falsely  charged  with  causing  a  tu- 
mult in  that  borough,  and  disturbing  the  peace 
thereof.  After  this  step  was  taken,  the  busy  ma- 
gistrates informed  the  parliament  of  the  imprison* 
ment  not  only  of  Fox,  but  also  of  Grassingham ; 


116 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE    FOX, 


I 


and  the  House  ordered  them  both  to  be  sent  t» 
London.  The  latter  had>  however,  left  the  pri- 
son, and  gone  to  London  on  his  own  business, 
whence  he  was  returning  by  order  of  the  admiralty 
board,  when  the  sheriff  of  the  county,  who  was 
conducting  George  Fox,  took  Grassingham  also 
back  to  London,  where  they  were  delivered  to  tiie 
custody  of  the  serj^ant  at  arms,  who  committed 
them  to  Lambeth  House,  with  orders  for  them  to 
be  strictly  watched,  in  case  any  of  their  friends 
should  visit  them» 

For  six  weeks  they  were  confined  to  their 
chamber,  without  the  usual  liberty  of  walking  in 
the  yard.  When  they  had  been  thus  confined 
about  three  weeks,  they  drew  up  a  pJrper,  to  be 
liiid  before  the  parliament,  and  sent  it  to  the 
speaker,  who,  however,  did  not  communicate  it. 
It  was  therefore  printed  and  distributed  among 
the  members,  but  without  any  effect,  it  being 
alleged  that  the  address  and  contents  of  the  paper 
rendered  it  inadmissible.  A  member  of  the  house, 
after  they  had  been  confined  about  fourteen  weeks, 
moved  the  consideration  of  their  case,  upon  which 
it  appears  that  an  order  was  immediately  given  for 
their  liberation. 


This  order  was  rendered  ineffectual  by  the  cruel 
ftrafice  of-  the  serjeant  at  arms,  who  demanded 


THE   YOUNGER, 


llf 


fifty  pounds  for  fees,  and  ten  pounds  per  week  ^or 
chamber  rent.  Not  complying  with  this  exorbitant 
demand,  their  confinement  was  protracted  for  a 
considerable  time  longer ;  and  it  is  probable  that 
their  liberation  was  at  length  directed  by  the  privy 
council,  to  whom  their  case  was  referred.  From 
the  date  of  some  papers,  I  find  George  Fox  a 
prisoner  in  Westminster  Palace  Yard  Gate-house 
in  the  1st  month,  l66l.«  It  also  appears  that 
he  was  liberated  before  the  4th  month  of  that 
year.  His  arrest  at  Harwich  was  in  the  3d  month 
of  the  preceding  year,  so  that  he  was  kept  prisoner 
about  a  year,  without  being  brought  to  any  legal 
trial.  So  perverted  was  the  administration  of  jus- 
tice in  those  .times. 

This  long  confinement  was  not  spent  in  idleness, 
but  the  prisoner  employed  his  pen  and,  when  op- 
portunity offered,  his  tongue  also,  in  promoting 
the  cause  for  which  he  suffered.  Among  other 
publications,  one  was  entitled,  "  His  Faith  touch- 
ing four  Particulars  demoustrated." 

1st,  Concerning  Jesus  Christ  the  Saviour  of 
the  World. 


*  It  IS  possible  that  this  imprlsoiyraent  in  Westminster 
was  not  a  continuance  of  the  former  at  Lambeth,  and  that 
an  mterval  of  hberty  took  place  between  the  times  of  bis 
bting  a  prisoner  at  Lambeth  and  Westminster. 


118 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


2d,  Concerning  Justification. 
3d,  Concerning  the  Resurrection. 

-4th,  Concerning  everlasting  Glory  and  eternal 
Misery. 


On  all  these  topics  he  explains  the  views  of 
iiimseU  and  hts  friends  at  considerable  length. 
On  the  subject  of  Justification  he  expresses  him- 
self thus :  "  1  do  believe  no  man  can  be  justified 
hy  the  works  of  the  law,  nor  by  any  work  of  his 
own ;  but  he  or  she  that  is  justified  in  the  sight  of 
God,  it  is  freely  by  his  grace,  through  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus,  who  creates  such  unto  good  works, 
which  God  hath  ordained,  that  they  that  are  justi- 
£ed  should  walk  in  them." 

The  folloMing  acknowledgment  to  Divine  power 
and  goodness,  written  about  this  time,  also  appears 
deserving  of  a  place  in  this  Memoir. 


"  Surely  it  was  thee.  Oh  Lord!  that  gav'e  bounds 
to  the  sea,  that  the  floods  thereof  could  not  over- 
whelm thy  chosen.  Thou  canst  let  forth  the 
winds,  and  suffer  a  storm ;  and  thou  canst  make  a 
calm  when  thou  pleasest.     Have  thou  the  glory 


f  HE   YOtJNGEft. 


119 


of  all,  thou  King  of  Saints !  thou  Saviour  of  Israeli 
Thou  canst  do  whatever  thou  pleasest,  therefore 
will  we  trust  in  thy  name;  neither  will  we  fear 
what  man  can  do  unto  us,  because  thou  wilt  not 
forsake  us,  but  thou  wilt  plead  our  cause  in  the 
sight  of  our  adversaries,  and  they  shall  know  that 
thou  art  our  God,  who  art  able  to  save  to  the 
uttermost. 


"  Oh  Lord,  our  righteousness !  we  will  praise 
thy  name,  for  thy  mercies  endure  for  ever.  Our 
eyes.  Oh  God !  are  unto  thee,  for  we  have  no  other 
helper.  Our  faith.  Oh  Lord!  standeth  in  thee, 
who  canst  not  forget  thy  people.  Thou  hast  re- 
deemed and  brought  up  Jacob,  who  wrestleth 
with  thee,  and  prevails  as  a  prince;  therefore  must 
the  blessing  come.  Oh  Lord !  the  birth,  the  birth 
crieth  unto  thee,  thine  own  elect,  which  has  long 
been  oppressed.  Thou  cunst  not  deny  thyself, 
therefore  have  we  faith,  and  hope  whidh  maketh 
not  ashamed.  Oh  Lord!  how  unsearchable  are 
thy  ways !  Thou  hast  even  amazed  thy  people  with 
the  depth  of  thy  wisdom ;  thou  only  wilt  have  the 
glory  of  their  deliverance,  and  therefore  hast  thou 
suffered  these  things  to  come  to  pass.  Oh  Lord ! 
ihou  art  righteous  in  all  thy  judgments;  only  pre- 
serve thy  people,  which  thou  hast  gathered  and 
wilt  gather  unto  thyself,  in  the  day  of  trial,  that  so 


r 


120 


LIFE  OF  G80R0E   FOX, 


THE    YOUNGER. 


1^1 


they  may  sing  of  thy  power,  aod  magnify  thy  name 
in  the  land  of  the  living. 

^'GEOKeE  Fox,  the  Younger." 


In  the  4th  month,  1 661,  it  appears  that  a  tem- 
porary cessation  of  persecution  had  taken  place, 
.  at  which  time  he  wrote  to  his  friends  in  this  man- 
ner: "  O !  that  patience  might  be  abode  in  by  all 
that  know  his  name,  and  his  will  submitted  unto 
by  them  that  he  hath  called.  O !  be  still,  strive 
not,  but  drink  the  cup  which  my  Father  sufFereth 
to  be  given :  1  know  it  will  be  bitter  to  some ; 
but  whosoever  striveth  against  it,  shall  come  to 
loss  and  shame ;  for  the  Lord  will  yet  further  try 
his  people,  till  it  be  fully  and  clearly  manifest  who 
are  approved  in  his  sight.  This  he  will  certainly 
do ;  therefore  let  not  the  present  calm  beget  a 
wrong  security  in  any ;  for  lo !  the  day  hastens  and 
comes  swiftly,  that  another  storm  must  arise;  and 
in  vain  will  it  be  to  fly  to  the  tall  cedars  or  strong 
oaks,  for  shelter,  for  nothing  but  the  name  of  tlie 
Lord  can  preserve  in  that  day.'* 


This  prediction  was  soon  fulfilled;  for  in  the 
succeeding  year  above  one  hundred  Friends  were 
confined  at  one  time  in  Newgate,  where  several 
died.  And  a  few  years  afterwards  the  Conven- 
ticle Act  was  passed,  which  subjected  the  Society 
to  perhaps  more  sufferings  than  they  had  pre- 
viously undergone.  But  before  any  of  these 
events  took  place,  this  extraordinary  man  finished 
his  labours  and  sufferings  in  and  for  the  Church 
Militant,  dying  at  the  close  of  this  year,  l66l,  or 
the  beginning  of  1662.  In  his  last  illness  he  ex- 
horted his  friends  to  "  keep  in  that  unity  for  which 
he  had  long  travailed,  and  to  keep  their  garments 
unspotted  by  the  world,  because  great  was  the  day 
of  trial  which  was  then  at  hand."  When  he  was  in 
great  bodily  weakness,  he  lay  as  a  man  daily  re- 
newing his  strength  in  the  Lord,  whose  living 
presence  so  animated  his  departing  spirit  to  the 
last,  that  he  said,  he  would  even  shout  and  sing 
for  joy  of  heart.  Thus  exultingly  did  he  terminate 
his  existence  in  this  World,  and  diere  is  good  rea- 
son to  believe  is  added  to  the  church  triumphant 
in  heaven. 

A  Friend  who  subscribes  himself  I.  P.  and 
whom  I  suppose  to  be  Isaac  Pennington,  speaking 
of  llie  ministry  of  this  George  Fox,  describes  it 
in  figurative   terms :  "  As  thunder  to  the  rocks. 

G 


142  GfiOUGE   FOX>  THE  YOUNGER. 

and  mountains ;  arid  streams  of  sweet  milk,  wine, 
and  honey  to  the  blessed  hving  babes  of  the 
blessed  living  God." 

Soon  after  his  decease,  his  writings  were  col- 
lected and  published  in  a  small  octavo  volume, 
containing  about  288  pages. 


Chapter  xi. 


IIFE  OF  RICHARD  JWBBERTHORN. 


-.-  f 


\ 


1  His  Friend  was  one  of  the  earliest  membejs 
of  the  Society  in  Lancashire.     He  lived,  and  I 
suppose  was  born  at  Yellaiid  in  that  county.    His 
parents  were  respectable,  and  his  father  a  man  of 
landed  property.      Richard  was  their  only  son. 
He  early  manifested  a   religious   disposition   of 
mind,  and,  as  was  the  case  with  many  serious  peo- 
ple at  that  time,   entered  into  the  Parliament's 
army, in  which  he  became  an  officer;  and  so  great 
was  his  godly  zeal,  that  he  sometimes  preached  to 
his  fellow-soldiers.     After  he  was  convinced   of 
the  principles  of  Friends,  he  left  his  military  em- 
ployment,  and  became  a  soldier  in  the  Lamb  s 
warfare,  enlisting  himself  under  the  banner  of  Christ 
Jesus,  the  Prince  of  Peace.      So  early  as  the 
>^ar  1652,  he  went  forth  in  gospel  service  j  and 

G  2 


^3 


124        ttPE   Ot  RICHARD  HUBBERTHOUN. 

afterwards  suffered  much  for  his  rehgious  prin- 
ciples. 

In  1G53>  the  mayor  of  Chester  sent  him  to 
jail,  and  detained  him  there  eight  days,  upon  a 
bare  information  of  his  visitmg  John  Lawsoiii 
in  prison. 

In  the  year  1654,  he  and  George  Whitehead 
travelled  into  Norfolk,  and  coming  to  Norwich, 
he  was  concerned  to  speak  to  a  priest  in  the  grave- 
yard, on  which  account  he  was  taken  before  the 
magistrates.  Coming  into  their  presence  with  his 
hat  on,  he  was  committed  to  the  castle,  where  he 
continued  a  prisoner  great  part  of  the  succeeding 
year.  His  companion,  however,  had  muth  service 
in  that  city,  in  which  a  Meeting  of  Friends  was 
then  establised.  It  is  most  probable  they  were  Ac 
first  Friends  who  visited  those  parts. 

In  sivins  an  account  of  the  sufferers  in  Cam- 
bridgeshire  in  the  year  1656,  Joseph  Besse  fui- 
nishes  a  further  proof,  that  "  Even  christian 
charity  itself,  was  by  some  magistrates  reputed 
criminal;  and  Richard  Hubberthorn  and  Richard 
Weaver,  svtte  sent  to  jail  only  for  visiting  Ann 
Blakley  in  prison ;  and  Richard  Hubberthorn  for 
not  departing  the  town  [probably  Cambridge]  at 
the  mayor's  command,  was  sent  to  the  house  of 
correction  for  three  months.' 


» »» 


11F£   or  RICHARD   HUBBERTHORN.        195 

The  same  year  we  find  that  Richard  Hub- 
berlhom  was  taken  out  of  a  meeting  in  the 
county  of  Lancaster,  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  so 
carried  and  laid  in  the  open  fields,  in  a  cold  win- 
ter's  night. 

The  next  notice  I  find  of  Richard  Hubber- 
thorn,  is  in  the  year  1660,  when  he  had  a  long 
conference  with  Charles  the  Second,  and  some 
others  who  were  in  company  with  him.  In  this 
conversation,  Richard  explained  the  Principles  of 
Friends,  so  much  to  the  king's  satisfaction,  that  he 
repeatedly  promised  they  should  not  any  way  suf- 
fer for  their  religious  opinions.  But  though  there 
is  no  reason' to  doubt  the  king's  sincerity  at  the 
Aime,  yet  he  was  so  easily  influenced  by  others, 
that  he  seemed  to  forget  what  he  had  solemnly 
promised,  on  the  word  of  a  king.  The  very  man 
to  whom  this  promise  was  made,  was  a  proof 
of  this  weakness  in  the  king's  disposition,  as  will 
he  related  in  the  sequel. 

It  seems  that  Richard  Hubberthorn  continued 
some  time  in  Loudon;  for  in  the  same  year  that 
he  had  this  conference  with  Charles  the  Second, 
we  find  him  uniting  with  George  Fox  in  drawing 
up  a  declaration  of  their  abhorrence  of  plots  and 
warring,  in  order  to  present  it  to  the  king  and 
council.    Whea  it  was  finished  and  sent  to  the 

G  3 


\Q.6      LIFE   OF  KICHARD    HUBBERTHORN, 

press,  it  was  there  seized ;  but  this  arbitrary  en- 
deavour to  deprive  them  of  the  opportunity  of 
vindicating  themselves  and  their  friends,  did  not 
deter  these  bold  asserters  of  just  liberty  from  pro- 
secuting their  commendable  design.  They  quickly 
drew  up  another  declaration,  got  it  printed,  sent 
some  copies  to  the  king  and  council,  and  pub- 
lished the  rest  in  their  justification,  to  the  nation 
at  large. 

In  1661,  he,  with  Edward  Burrough  and  George 
"Whitehead,  attended  the  parliament,  to  solicit 
against  passing  into  an  act,  "  A  bill  for  preventing 
mischief  and  dangers  that  may  arise,  from  cer- 
tain persons  called  Quakers,  and  others  refusing 
to  take  lawful  oaths." 

They  attended  the  committee  several  times,  and 
were  also  permitted  to  give  their  reations  at  the 
bar  of  the  house ;  but  it  seems  that  prejudice, 
party  animosity,  and  mistaken  zeal,  overruled  the 
clearest  ar(:ruments  adduced  a<;ainst  it. 

In  the  4th  month,  I66C,  notwithstanding  the 
promise  made  to  him  by  the  king,  he  was  vio- 
lently dragged  from  a  meeting  in  Bull  and  Mouth 
Street,  and  taken  before  Richard  Brown,  alder- 
man, who  pulled  Hubberthorn's  hat  with  so  much 
violence  that  he  brought  his  head  nearly  to  the 


LIFE   OF  RICHARD   HUBBERTfiORN.      127 

ground.  After  this  rough  treatment,  he  committed 
him  to  Newgate,  where  the  prisoners  were  so  nu- 
merous, and  the  accommodation  so  poor,  that  he 
soon  grew  sick;  and  within  two  months  his  suffer- 
ings terminated  with  ivis  life ! 

Two  daysrt)efore  his  decease,  some  of  his  friends 
visited  him,  and  inquiring  if  there  was  any 
thing  upon  his  spirit,  he  said,  that  there  was  no 
need  to  dispute  matters^  for  he  knew  the  ground 
of  his  salvation,  and  was  satisfied  for  ever  in  his 
peace  with  the  Lord."  He  also  said :  **  That  faith 
which  hath  wrought  my  salvation  I  well  know, 
and  have  grounded  satisfaction  in  it."  In  the 
morning  previous  to  his  decease,  he  expressed 
himself  thus  to  one  who  attended  him  :  *'  Do  not 
seek  to  hold  me,  for  it  is  too  strait  for  me,  and 
out  of  this  straitness  Tmust  go;  for  I  am  wound 
into  largeness,  and  am  to  be  lifted  up  on  high,  far 
above  all."  In  the  evening  of  the  day  he  quietly 
departed  this  life,  and  thus  sealed  his  testimony 
to  those  religious  principles,  which  he  had  con- 
scientiously embraced,  and  zealously  promulgated. 

He  was  a  man  of  low  stature,  infirm  constitu- 
tion, and  a  weak  voice ;  but  though  he  did  not 
possess  gracefulness  of  person,  he  excelled  in  the 
more  noble  faculties  of  the  mind;  being  of  an 
excellent  natural  temper,  a  man  of  much  meekness^ 

G  4 


« 


\<  ri 


fit 


128      LIFE    OF   RICHABD    HUBBERTHORN. 

humility,  and  patience.  He  was  of  distinguished 
equanimity,  neither  easily  depressed  in  adversity, 
nor  elated  in  prosperity;  clear  in  judgment  and  of 
a  quick  understanding. 

Notwithstanding  the  weakness  of  his  voice,  he 
was  a  very  able  and  successful  minister  of  the 
gospel ;  and  great  numbers,  in  different  parts  of 
the  nation,  were  convinced  and  brought  to  the 
same  faith  and  practice  which  he  preached,  as 
seals  to  the  power  and  efficacy  of  his  gift. 


f  I  > 


CHAPTER   XII, 


LIFE  OF  WILLIAM  AMES. 


We  have  no  account  of  the  birth  of  Winiam 
•Ames,  or  of  his  native  country,  except  that  John 
Whiting  mentions  him  as  being  of  Somersetshire. 
In  his  youth  he  was  of  a  cheerful  temper,  and 
fond  of  the  society  of  those  of  similar  dispositions; 
but,  in  the  gay  and  unguarded  indulgencies  of  this 
inclination,  he  was  often  disquieted  in  his  mind ; 
and,  in  consequence,  became  a  closer  follower  of 
the  priests  and  teachers.  He  also  exercised  him- 
self diligently  io  reading  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
^vhich,  though  it  is  a  practice  very  excellent  ia 
Itself,  was  not  sufficient  to  bring  him  to  true  peace 
of  mind  with  the  lx)rd. 

Though  he  was  of  a  quick  understanding,  and 
<^^apable  of  deducing  much  argument  from  the 
'-^-^riptures ;  yet  he  appears,  for  a  lime,  not  to  have 

C  .5 


130 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    AMES. 


LIFE   OF   WILLIAM    AMES. 


131 


:l 


ic 


4 


been  favoured  with  the  Key  of  David,  which  only 
can  unlock  and  open  that  rich  treasury,  and  fur- 
nish from  those  abundant  stores,  the  food  conve- 
nient for  the  seeking,  hungry  soul. 

In  this  unsatisfied  condition  of  mind,  he  entered 
into  religious  communion  with  the  Baptist  society, 
and  became  a  teacher  among  them.  At  this  period 
he  was  more  strict  and  careful  of  his  conduct,  and 
endeavoured  to  avoid  the  committing  of  sins;  yet 
he  found  that  the  root  from  whence  they  sprung 
was  alive  in  him ;  and  when  he  met  with  any  thing 
contrary  to  his  own  will  and  mind,  anger  «oon 
prevailed.  Few  appear  to  have  been  more  fully 
and  clearly  taught  tlie  doctrine  of  the  blessed 
Redeemer  of  men,  when  be  said  ;  "  Without  me 
ye  can  do  nothing." 

Pie  could  speak  of  justification,  sanctification, 
and  cleansing  by  the  blood  of  Jesus^  but  was  sen- 
sible he  had  not  attained  that  pure  washing ;  and 
even  perceived  that  be  was  no  true  member  of 
Christ,  because  he  iiad  not  -experienced  regenera- 
tion. Thus  he  learned  that -a  high  profession  was 
of  no  avail,  and  that  something  beyond  it  was 
essential,  to  enable  him  to  attain  a  happy  state 
and  condition. 

Though  the  subject  of  this  Memoir  was  thus 
clearly  sensible  of  one  thing  still  lacking ;  and,  oa 


ii 


eommitting  sin,  felt  in  himself  a  swift  witness,  a 
monitor  that  struck  him  with  terror ;  yet  he  did 
not  comprehend  what  it  was  which  in  mercy  thus 
disquieted  his  soul. 

In  addition  to  the  ministerial  office  which  he 
had  taken  upon  himself,  he  likewise  engaged  as  an 
officer  in  the  army.  In  this  capacity  he  was  of  a 
strict  life  himself,  and  kept  his  soldiers  under  a 
severe  discipline;  and  when  any  of  them  were 
guilty  of  immorality  on  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
he  presently  had  them  put  under  confinement  and 
restraint. 

At  length,  in  the  year  1655,  whilst  Edward  Bur- 
rough  and  Fl-ancis  Howgill  w  ere  at  Cork  in  Ireland, 
he  heard  one  or  both  of  them  preach,  declaring 
that  what  convincelh  man  of  sin,  is  the  Light  of 
Christ,  which  enlighteneth  every  man  that  cometh 
into  the  world.  This  doctrine  entered  so  deeply 
into  his  heart,  that  he  embraced  it,  from  firm  con- 
viction of  its  being  the  Truth;  and  walking  with 
great  circumspection  and  fear  before  the  Lord,  he 
found,  that  by  diligent  atttention  to  that  Divine 
principle  which  inwardly  reproved  and  condemned 
him  for  evil,  he  came  to  be  delivered  from  the 
power  of  sin,  and  to  witness  sanctification. 

He  entered  into  the  Society  of  the  despised 
Quakers,  and  continuing  in  the  way  of  godliness. 


13^ 


LIFE    OF  WILLIAM   AMES, 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM   AMES, 


isi 


»# 


he  himself  became  a  zealous  preacher  of  that 
doctrme  which  had  so  deeply  penetrated  his  own 
heart. 

In  tlie  year  1657,  we  find  him  at  Amsterdam, 
in  company  with  a  person  of  the  name  of 
Humble  Thatcher,  who  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  ever  fully  in  communion  with  our  reli<Tious 
society.  It  seems,  from  the  circumstance  of  their 
being  companions,  and  from  William  Ames  being 
a  man  of  extraordinary  courage  and  boldness,  that 
they  were  taken  up,  on  suspicion  of  having  placed 
a  paper  on  the  door  of  the  English  meeting-house, 
in  that  city ;  but  of  this  charge  William  declared 
himself  innocent ;  and  also  that  he  knew  not  who 
was  the  author  of  the  paper.  This  happened  at 
the  time  wheu  so  many  false  reports  were  in  print, 
concerning  James  Nayler,  which  probably  occa- 
sioned the  magistrates  to  be  more  apprehensive 
respecting  them;  and  sending  for  William  Ames 
and  his  companion  to  appear  before  them,  thev 
were  commanded  to  depart  tlie  town  in  twenty- 
four  liours. 

Persuaded  of  ih^ir  own  innocency,  these  cou- 
rageous and  resolute  men  did  not  think  proper  to 
obey  the  comuiand.     The  next  day,  from  a  con- 
scientious scruple,  not  putting  off  their  hats  wheu 
a^ftlore  the  magistrates,  they  were  falsely  consideie^ 


as  not  owning  the  subordination  due  to  rulers;  and 
after  being  kept  in  custody  for  some  days,  they 
were  at  night  led  through  the  Regulars  gate,  and 
banished  out  of  the  town. 

William  Ames  judging  that  he  had  committed 
no  evil,  returned  the  next  day  into  the  city,  and 
passed  the  great  market-place  called  the  Dam. 
On  this  occasion  it  is  said  that  some  of  the 
magistrates  saw  him  and  observed:  "  Lo!  there 
is  the  Quaker;  if  we  had  a  mind  now  to  make 
martyrs,  here  would  be  an  opportunity  for  it." 
But  it  seems,  as  there  was  no  proof  of  their  hav- 
ing done  any  evil,  the  magistrates  deemed  it  safest 
to  wink  at  {lis  return. 

lie  staid  some  time  in  the  city,  and  the  doctrine 
which  he  preached  found  some  entrance,  even 
among  a  few  of  the  collegians.  At  this  time  alsa 
his  ministry  proved  convincing  to  Jacob  William- 
son Sewel,^  of  Utrecht,  free  citizen  and  surgeon, 
resident  at  Amsterdam,  and  Judith  .Zinspennin«" 
bis  wife,  who  were  the  parents  of  William  Sewel, 
the  historian  of  our  society,  and  a  lexicographer. 
These,  with  two  or  three  more,  were  the  first  of 
our  religious  persuasion  at  Amsterdam. 

In  the  preface  to-  WilHara  SeweKs  History,  he 
iaeutioDs.  William  Amea  a:*  having  had  considerable 


TS4 


VtVE   OF   "WILLIAM   AMES. 


influence  with  several  collegians  when  he  was  first 
at  Amsterdam,  who  were  so  fully  convinced  of 
the  doctrine  he  preached,  that  they  approved  of 
it ;  and  one  of  them,  Adam  Boreels,  so  early  as 
the  year  1662,  is  supposed  by  William  Sewel,  to 
have  written  a  treatise  in  Latin,  with  a  title  signi- 
fying, "  The  Light  upon  the  Candlestick,"  which 
contained  the  doctrines  preached  by  William  Ames, 
and  was  so  expressed  in  the  title  page.  This 
treatise  is  translated  into  English,  and  forms  an 
Appendix  to  William  Sewell's  History  of  our 
Sociey. 


About  the  year  1659,  William  Ames  went  into 
Germany,  and  visited  the  court  of  the  Prince 
Elector,  Charles  Lodowick,  who  treated  him  kindly 
even  at  his  own  table,  and  seemed  not  to  take 
any  offence  at  his  hat  being  kept  on,  though  the 
lords  and  others  present  were  uncovered.  On 
one  occasion,  as  Ames  was  walking  next  the 
prince,  in  his  garden,  with  his  hat  on,  the  courtiers 
inquired  of  the  prince,  if  they  should  question 
Ames  for  doing  so ;  but  this  he  would  not  permit 
them  to  do. 


At  another  time  the  prince  fixed  to  have  both 
his  chaplain  and  William  Ames  to  dine  with  him, 
tvith  a  view,  it  seems,  that  William,  whom  he  knew 
fo  be  a  bold  man,  might  find  occasion  to  reprove 


ETFE    OF   WILLIAM    AMES. 


135 


the  chaplain.  For  this  purpose,  when  they  were 
at  dinner,  the  prince  sufi'ered  his  jester  to  come  in, 
and  on  playing  his  tricks  the  diaplain  was  silent. 
William  Ames  took  occasion  from  this  circum- 
stance to  reprove  such  vain  actions ;  but  chiefly 
aimed  his  remarks  at  the  chaplain,  whom,  for  his 
silence  at  the  lewd  remarks  of  the  jester,  he  cen- 
sured in  very  plain  terms;  which,  however,  ap- 
peared to  afford  satisfaction  to  the  prince.  This 
fact  marks  the  uprightness,  boldness,  and  firm  in- 
tegrity of  the  character  of  William  Ames. 

At  Kriesheim,  a  town  in  the  Palattinate,  not  fai* 
from  Worms,  he  found  such  entrance  amon<r  the 
Baptists,  that  some  families  not  only  received  the 
doctrine  he  preached,  but  bore  public  testimony 
for  it  there,  till  the  settlement  of  Pennsylvania, 
when  they  unanimously  went  to  that  province,  and 
thus  providentially  escaped  the  distresses  which 
w  ere  occasioned  by  the  war  not  long  after ;  ia 
which  the  Palatinate  was  laid  waste  by  the  French, 
and  thousands  were  bereaved  of  their  possessions 
and  reduced  to  poverty. 

The  conviction  which  attended  the  ministry  of 
WilHam  Ames,  in  the  hearts  of  some  persons  in 
the  Palatinate,  occasioned  a  fine  to  be  settled  on 
tiiose  who  gave  him  entertainment ;  but  the  Prince 
JElectQi  being  informed  of  it,  not  only  took  -off 


>  ' 


136 


•LIFE   OF   WILLIAM    AMES. 


the  fine,  but  ordered  some  of  the  Consistory,  wlio 
bad  sent  for  William,  to  desist  from  molesting 
bim.  The  Prince's  sister  also  behaved  very  kindly 
towards  William  Ames,  and  received  his  exhorta- 
tions favourably. 

Tlie  next  year  he  went  again  into  the  Palatinate, 
with  John  Higgins,  and  visited  the  Prince  Elector ; 
be  also  sent  a  letter  to  the  Prince,  with  a  book 
written  by  George  Fox,  of  which  John  Higgins 
appears  to  have  been  the  bearer.  From  the  Cap- 
tain of  the  Prince's  Guard,  they  understood  that 
he  was  glad  of  William  Ames's  return;  and  the 
Prince  himself  desired  John  Higgins  to  thank 
William  Ames  for  the  letter  and  book ;  and  added, 
that  he  took  their  visit  to  him  and  his  family  very 
kindly,  and  believed  that  what  they  spoke,  was  in 
love  to  their  souls. 

William  Ames  also  went  to  Hamburgh,  Bo- 
hemia, and  Dautzick,  and  from  the  latter  into 
Poland ;  but  it  is  not  certain  in  what  year.  At 
Hamburgh  and  Dantzick  he  met  with  some  who 
received  the  doctrine  he  preached ;  but  in  Poland 
the  people  were  too  rude  and  haughty  for  him  to 
make  an  impression  on  their  minds. 

.    In   the   forepart  of   the  year  1659,  he   wen* 
also  .to  .Rotterdam,  where  he   and  one  Martjft 


LIFE   OF  WILLIAM   AMES. 


137 


Martinson,  who  had  been  convbced  by  him,  were 
imprisoned  in  the  Bedlam  there,  for  having  a 
meeting  at  Martinson's  house.  The  latter  lived  at 
Moordecht,  a  village  near  Gouda,  and  was  in  the 
practice  of  holding  a  meeting  sometimes  in  his 
own  house,  with  some  of  his  sober-minded  neigh* 
hours,  which  caused  a  great  commotion  in  the 
town ;  and  after  a  meeting  held  there,  at  which 
William  Ames  was  present,  they  experienced 
much  rude  treatment.  In  conseqence  of  thi«, 
they  had  some  conversation  with  a  preacher,  who 
charged  W'illiam  Ames  with  being  a  wolf  and 
deceiver.  William  was  desirous  of  having  an  op- 
portunity of  clearing  himself,  and  by  means  of 
Martin  Martinson  got  a  time  fixed  for  the  priest 
to  .undertake  the  proof  of  his  ass^tion ;  but  instead 
of  doing  so,  he  had  recourse  to  a  less  troublesome 
expedient,  and  procured  civjl  officers,  who  took 
them  both  into  custody. 


t 


After  being  confined  a  little  more  than  three 
weeks  in  Bedlam,  the  under  governor  indirectly 
expressed  a  wish  that  they  would  escape;  saying 
that  he  should  not  hinder  them.  William  Ames, 
not  choosing  to  be  reputed  one  who  broke  prison, 
concluded  the  conversation  with  saying  :  "  Well, 
I  intend  to  go  out  to-morroW."  The  next  day 
they  were  suffered  to  ^o  out,  and  William  went 


«i 


i 


tss 


LITE   OF   WILLIAM   AMES. 


with  the  deputy  before  the  dikegrave,  not  cTioosm|; 
to  leave  the  towB  without  seeing-  liim.  Tlie  dike- 
grave  behaved  moderately  ;  but  not  judging  it 
eligible  for  them  to  be  released^  expressed  a  desire 
for  them  to  return  to  the  prison,  with  which  they 
complied,  and  were  detained  some  time  longer, 
before  they  were  set  at  liberty  :  William  then  pro- 
ceeded on  his  journey  in  Germany,  and  thence  re- 
turned  to  hi»  native  country;  but  after  some  time 
he  went  again  to  Holland,  probably  with  an  in- 
tention of  settling  there. 

In  1^<1,  he  was  taken  from  a  Friends  house  ia 
London,  with  Samuel  Fisher  and  three  others, 
and  suffered  a  severe  imprisonment  in  Bridewell ; 
but  his  health  not  being  equal  to  endure  such 
severity,  he  was  rdeased,  lest  he  should  die  there. 
Such  was  the  rage  of  persecution  at  that  time, 
that  not  only  public  meetings  were  interrupted, 
but  private  houses  were  broken  into,  and  friendly 
visits  were  Gonstra<Hl  into  meeting*  contrary  to 
law. 

His  settled  abode  at  this  time  was  at  Amster- 
dam, to  which  place,  after  his  release,  he  returned, 
Wth  his  health  nuich  impaired;  and  he  did  not 
very  long  survive  the  effects  of  the  severity  he 
endured  in  Bridewell.    In  the  course  of  his  sick- 


LTFE   OF   WILLIAM   AMES. 


199 


ness,  which  was  lingering,  he  was  informed,  that, 
among  the  Baptists  and  Collegians,  it  was  reported, 
he  had  changed  his  sentiments,  and  was  grieved 
for  having  judged  him  wrongfully.  This  he  de- 
nied ;  and  said  that  he  still  judged  their  way 
of  worship,  especially  their  disputations  and 
%vill- worship,  to  be  out  of  the  way  of  the 
Lord.  In  this  belief  he  continued,  and  died  in 
peace.  This  was  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1662. 

William  Sewel  thus  concludes  his  account  of 
this  bold  advocate,  of  the  Light  of  Christ  in  the 
Heart.  "  He  was  indeed  a  zealous  man,  and 
though  some  were  ready  to  tbink  lie  was  too 
zealous,  yet  he  was  discreet ;  and  I  know  that  he 
was  condescending  in  indifferent  matters,  thinking 
that  there  were  customs,  which  though  not  fol- 
lowed  in  one  country,  were  yet  tolerable  in  ano- 
ther. He  was  also  generous ;  and  lest  he  might 
seem  burthensome  to  any,  he  rather  chose  to  work 
with  his  own  hands."  He  did  this,  at  wool-combing, 
during  his  last  imprisonment  in  London.  ^ 

He  published  several  small  works,  which  are 
enumerated  in  John  Whiting*s  catalogue  of  Friends* 
Books.  In  this  list  appears  to  be  included  "  The 
Light  upon  the  Candlestick,"  already  noticed  itf 


JA^^. 


140 


LIFE   OF  WILLIAM   AMES. 


this  Memoir ;  and  from  his  name  being  in  the 
title-page,  John  Whiting  might  suppose  he  was 
the  author  of  it. 


CHAPTER  xin. 


LIFE  OF  EDWJRD  BURROUGIt. 


■»«e<aioie«e» 


jN  the  coursfe  of  reading  which  is  necessary, 
previous  to  writing  my  Biographical  Notices,  I 
perused  the,  Testimony  of  Francis  Howgill  con- 
cerning the  subject  of  this  Memoir,  and  was  60 
struck  with  the  excellency  of  the  matter,  and  the 
sublimity  of  the  expression,  that  I  thought  it  de- 
served reprinting  by  itself.  Hence  it  became  Kl 
subject  of  consideration,  whether  I  could  do  bet- 
ter than  present  my  readers  with  this  produc- 
tion. It  is  something  above  the  style  of  sober 
history,  yet  the  dielineation  is  so  strong,  and  the 
colouring,  though  high,  there  is  reason  lo  believe, 
so  just,  that  I  apprehend  no  one  who  is  acquainted 
with  the  character  of  Edward  Burrough,  will 
think  that  this  picture  of  him  is  overcharged.  As 
it  also  contains  much  biographical  information,  I 
have  concluded  to  give  my  account  in  the  words 


? 


il 


K'i 


142 


LIFE   OF   EDWARD    BURROUGH. 


i 


of  this  intimate  friend  and  fellow-labourer  in  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  It  may  be  proper  to  apprize 
Ae  reader,  that  the  first  part  of  this  Testimony, 
as  it  is-  called,  contains  an  aifecting^  lamentation 
or  elegical  eulogy  over  his  departed  friend. 

"  'III      ~  '  •  • 

FRANCIS  HOWGILUs  TESTIMONY 


CONCERNING   THE 


^     ^ 


Life,  Death,  Trials,  Travels,  and  Labours, 


0?* 


EDWARD  BURROUGtf, 

f 

That  Worthi/  Prophet  of  the  Lord. 

"  Shall  days,  or  months,  or  years,  wear  out 
thy  name  as  though  thou  hadst  no  being?  Oh  nay ! 
Shall  not  thy  noble  and  valiant  acts,  and  mighty 
works,  which  thou  hast  wrought,  through  the 
power  of  Him  that  gave  thee  being,  live  in  genera- 
tions to  come  ?  Oh  yes !  The  children  that  are 
yet  unborn  shall  have  thee  in  their  mouths,  and 
thy  works  shall  testify  of  thee  in  generations  who 
yet  have  not  a  being,  and  shall  count  thee  blessed. 
Did  thy  life  go  out  as  the  snuff  of  a  candle  ?  Oh 
nay!  thou  hast,  penetrated  the  lieart?  of  many; 


LIFE   OF    EDWARD   BURROUGH.  149 

and  the  memorial  of  the  just  shall  live  for  ever, 
and  be  had  in  renown  among  the  chil<lren  of  wis- 
dom for  ever :  for  thou  hast  turned  many  to  righ- 
teousness, and  shall  shine  as  a  star  bi  God  in  the 
firmament  of  God's  power  for  ever  and  ever ;  and 
they  that  are  in  thiat,  shall  see  thee  there,  and  en- 
joy thee  there,  though  thou  be  gone  away  hence, 
and  can  no  niore  be  seen  in  mutability ;  yet  thy  life 
and  thy  spirit  shail  ran  parallel  with  immortality. 

"  Oh!  Edward  Burrough !  I  catinot  but  mourn 
for  thee;  yet  not  as  one  Without  hope  or  faith; 
knowing  and  having  a  perfect  testimony  of  thy 
well-being,  in  my  heart,  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord; 
yet  thy  absence  is  great,  and  years  to  come  shall 
know  the  want  of  thee.  Shall  I  not  lament  as 
iiavid  did  for  a  worse  man  than  ihee ;  even  for 
Jhner,  when  in  wrath  he  perished  hy  the  hand  of 
Joab,  without  any  just  cause,  though  he  was  a 
valiant  man.  "  David  lamented  over  Abner  and 
said:  Died  Ahner  as  a  fool  dieth  'i  Oh  nay  I  he 
was  betrayed  of  his  life.  Even  so  hast  thou  been 
bereaved  of  thy  life,  by  the  hand  of  the  oppressors, 
whose  habitations  are  full  of  cruelty.  Oh  my 
soul  I  come  not  thou  within  their  secret ;  for  thy 
blodd  shall  be  required  at  the  hands  of  thfem  who 
thirsted  after  thy  life ;  and  it  shall  cry  as  Abel's 
who  was  in  the  faith ;  even  so  wert  thou.  It  shall 
>^'eigh  as  a  ponderous  millstone  upon  their  necks, 


A 


144 


LIFE   OF   EDWARD    BURROUGU. 


and  shall  crush  ihem  under,  and  be  as  a  worm 
that  goaweth  aud  shall  not  die. 

"  When  I  think  upon  thee,  I  am  tnelted  into 
tears  of  true  sorrow,  and  because  of  the  want  that 
the  iuberitance  of  thie  Lord  hath  of  thee,  my  sub- 
stance is  even  as  dissolved.     Shall  I  not  saj  as 
David  said  of  Saul  and  Jonathan  when  they  were 
slain  in  Mount  Gil  boa :  •  The  beauty  of  Israel  is 
slain  upon  the  high  places;'  even  so  wast  thou 
stilled  in  nasty  holes  and  prisons,  and  many  more 
who  were  precious  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  ;  and 
surely  precious  wast  thou  to  me,  Oh  dear  Edward! 
'  I  am  distressed  for  thee,  mif  brother;  very  pleasant 
hast  thou  beeii  to  me,  and  my  love  to  thee  zvas  icon- 
derfufj  passing  the  love  of  women.     Ok  thou  zchose 
hozp  never  turned  hack,  neither  suord  empty  from 
■  the  blood  of  the  slain,  from  the  slaughter  of  the 
mighty;^  who  made  nations  and  multitudes  shake 
with  the  word  of  life  in  thy  mouth ;  and  wast  very 
dreadful  to  the  enemies  of  the  Lord ;  for  thou 
didst  cut  like  a  razor ;  and  yet  to  the  seed  of  God 
brought  forth,  thy  words  dropt  like  oil,  and  thy 
lips  as  the  honey-comb. 

"  Thou  shalt  be  recorded  among  the  valiants 
of  Israel,  who  attained  to  the  first  degree,  through 
the  power  of  the. Lord,  that  wrought  mightily  in 
thee  in  thy  day^  and  wast  worthy  of  double  honour. 


LIFE    OF    EDWARD    iURROUGH.  U^ 

because  of  thy  work's  sake.  Thou  wast  expert 
to  handle  thy  weapon,  and  by  thee  the  mighty 
have  fallen,  and  the  slain  of  the  Lord  have  been 
many;  many  have  been  pricked  to  the  heart, 
through  the  power  of  the  Word  of  Life;  and  coals 
of  fire  from  thy  life,  came  forth  of  thy  nioulh, 
that  in  many  a  thicket,  and  among  many  briars 
and  thorns,  it  came  to  be  kindled;  and  did  devour 
much  stubble  that  cumbered  the  ground  and 
stained  the  earth.  Oh,  how  certain  a  sound  did 
thy  trumpet  give!  And  how  great  an  alarum  didst 
thou  give  in  thy  day,  that  made  the  host  of  the 
uncircumcised  greatly  distressed  ! 

"  What  man  so  valiant,  though  as  Goliath  of  Gath. 
^vould   not   thy   valour   have   encountered    with, 
while  many  despised  thy  youth  !  And  how  have  I 
seen  thee  with  thy  sling  and  thy  stone  (despised 
weapons  as  to  war  with,)  wound  the  mighty!  and 
that  which   hath   seemed    contemptible    to    the 
Dragon's  party,  even  as  the  jaw-bone  of  an  ass, 
with  it  thou  hast  slain  the  Philistines,  heaps  upon 
heaps,  as  Sampson.     Thou  hast  put  thy  hand  to 
the  hammer  of  the  Lord,  and  hast  often  fastened 
nails  in  the  heads  of  the   Lamb's  enemies  ;   as 
Deborah*  did  to  Sisera;  and  many  a  rough  stone 
hast  thou  polished  and  squared,  and  made  it  fit 

*  Deborah  may  have  been  designedly  used  in  a  figura- 
tive sense  for  Jael,  to  »vhom  the  passage  aJlnde?. 

H 


4 


ug 


LIFE    OF    EDWARD    BURHOUGHT. 


i 


for  the  building  of  God;  and  much  knotty  Wood 
hast  tliou  hewed  in  thy  day,  which  was  not  ht  for 
the  building  of  God's  house ;  oh  thou  prophet  of 
the  Lord  !  and  [diou]  shalt  for  ever  be  recorded  in 
the  Lamb's  book  of  hfe,  among  the  Lord's  worthies, 
\yho  have  followed  the  Lamb  through  great  tri- 
bulations, as  many  can  witaess  for  thee,  from  the 
beginning;  and  at  last  hath  overcome  and  [hath 
been]  found  worthy  to  stand  with  the  Lamb  upon 
Mount  Sion,  the   hill  of  God,  as  I  have  often 
seen  thee ;  and  thy  heart  well  tuned  as  a  harp  to 
praise  the  Lord,  and  to  sound  forth  his  great  sal- 
vation, which,  many  a  time,  hath  made  glad  the 
hearts  of  them  that  did  believe,  and  strengthened 
their  faith  and  hope. 

"  Well,  thou  art  at  rest,  and  bound  up  in  the 
bundle   of  life;    and  1  know  tears  were  wiped 
away  from  thy  eyes,  because  there  was  no  cause  of 
sorrow  in  thee ;   for  I  know  thou  witnessed  the 
old  things  done  away;  and  there  was  no  curse; 
but  blessings  were  poured  upon  thy  head  as  rain, 
and  peace  as  a  mighty  shower ;  and  trouble  was 
far  from  thy  dwelling,  though  in  the  outward  man 
trouble   on  every  side;   and   [thou]   hast  had  a 
oreater  share  in  that  for  the  gospel's  sake,  though 
a  youth,  in  thy  time,  than  many  besides ;  but  now 
thou  art  freed  from  that,  and  hast  obtained  a  name 
through  faith  with  the  saints  in  light. 


LIFE    OP    EDWARD    BURROUCH. 


Ut 


*'  Well,  hadst  thou  more  to  give  up  tlian  thy  life 
for  the  name  of  Jesus  in  this  world?  Nav.  and  to 
seal  thy  testimony  committed  unto  thee  with  thy 
blood,  as  thou  hast  often  said  in  thy  day,  which 
shall  remain  as  a  crown  upon  thee  for  ever  and 
ever.  And  now  thou  art  freed  from  the  temp- 
tations of  him  who  had  the  power  of  death  ;  and 
art  freed  from  thy  outward  enemies,  who  hated 
thee  because  of  the  life  that  dwelt  in  thee,  and 
remainest  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  where  there 
is  joy  and  pleasure  for  evermore  in  the  everlasting 
light,  which  thou  hast  often  testified  unto,  accord- 
ing to  the  word  of  prophecy  in  thy  heart,  which 
was  given  unto  thee  by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  art 
at  rest  in  the  perfection  thereof,  in  the  beauty  of 
holiness  ;  yet  thy  life  and  thy  spirit  I  feel  as  pre-* 
sent,  and  have  unity  with  it  and  in  it,  beyond  all 
created  and  visible  things  which  are  subject  to 
mutation  and  change.  And  thy  life  shall  enter 
into  others,  to  testify  unto  the  same  truth,  which 
is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting;  for  God  hath 
raised,  and  shall  raise  up  children  unto  Abraham, 
of  them  that  have  been  as  dead  stones,  whose 
power  is  Almighty,  great  in  his  people,  in  the 
midst  of  their  enemies. 

"  Tliis  same  Edward  Burrough  was  born  in 
the  barony  of  Kendal,  in  the  county  of  Westmore- 
Jand,  of  honest  parents,  who  had  a  good  report 

H  2 


148 


VltE   Ot    EDWAfeD    BURROUGH, 


wi 


among  iheir  neighbours,  for  upright  and  honest 
dealmg  among  men ;  who  brought  up  Edward  in 
his  youth,  in  learning  and  good  education  as  the 
country  doth  afford.     He  was  a  Very  understand- 
ing boy  in  his  youth  ;  and  his  knowledge  and  un- 
derstanding did  far  exceed  his  years.     He  had  the 
spirit  of  a  man  when  he  was  but  a  child ;  and  I 
may  say  grey  hairs  were  upon  him  when  he  w  as 
but  a  youth,  for  he  was  clothed  with  wisdom  in 
his  infancy ;  for  I  had  perfect  knowledge  of  him 
from  a  youth.     He  was  inclinable  from  his  youth 
upwards  to  religion,  and  the  best  way,  always 
minding  the  best  things,  and  the  best  and  nearest 
way  of  worship  to  the  Scriptures  of  truth ;  and 
always  did  accompany  the  best  men,  who  walked 
in  <yodliness  and  honesty ;  insomuch  I  have  often 
admired  his  discreet  carriage,  and  his  great  under- 
standing of  the  things  of  God.     He  was  never 
known  to  be  addicted  to  any  vice,  or  malignity,  or 
bad  behaviour,  neither  followed  any  evil  course  of 
life  from  his  childhood ;  but  feared  the  Lord  and 
walked   uprightly,    according    to   the   light   and 
knowledge  received  in  all  things. 

"In  his  natural  dispositioti,  hfe  wis  bold  arid 
manly,  dexterous  and  fervent;  arid  what  he  tbok 
in  hand,  he  did  it  with  his  might ;  loVing,  kind, 
^nd  courtebus,  merci'fiil  and  flexible,  and  easy  to 
be  entreated.      His   whole  delight   was  always 


tIFE   OF   EDWAIID   BURROUGH.  140 

among  good  people,  and  to  be  conferring  and  read- 
ing the  Scriptures,  and  little  to  mind  any  sports  or 
pastimes  which  there  is  an  incidency  unto  in 
youth;  but  his  very  strength  was  bended  after 
God ;  and  [he]  was  separated,  I  may  say,  from  his 
birth,  and  fitting  for  the  work's  sake,  whereunto 
he  after  was  called^ 


"  And  when  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  raise  up 
unto  us  the  ancient  horn  of  salvation,  among  us 
who  were  reckoned  in  the  North  part  of  England, 
even  as  the  outcasts  of  Israel,  and  as  men  destitute 
of  the  great  knowledge  which  some  seemed  to  en- 
joy;  yet  tliere  was^  more  sincerity  and  true  love 
amongst  us,  and  desires  after  the  living,  powerful, 
presence  of  God,  than  was  among  many  in  that 
day  who  seemed  to  make  a  great  flourish ;  who 
ran  into  heaps  and  forms,  but  left  the  cross  behind 
them,  and  indeed  were  strangers  to  it.  God  out 
of  his  everiasting  love  did  appear  to  us,  according 
to  the  desire  of  our  hearts,  who  longed  after  Him. 
When  we  had  turned  aside  from  hireling-shepherds 
tents,  we  found  him  whom  our  souls  loved ;  and 
God  out  of  his  great  love  and  great  mercy  sent 
one  unto  us,  immediately,  by  his  power,  a  man  of 
God,  one  of  ten  thousand,  to  instruct  us  in  the 
way  of  God  more  perfectly;  who  laid  down  the 
sure  foundation,  and  declared  the  acceptable  year 
of  the  Lord ;  who  indeed  made  the  mourners  to 


I 


m 


150  l^lFE   OF    EDWARD    BURROUGH* 

rejoice,  and  the  heavy-hearted  glad ;  >^hich  yet  was 
tenible  to  all  hypocrites  and  all  formal  profession; 
which  testimony  reached  unto  all  our  consciences, 
and  entered  into  the  inmost  part  of  our  hearts ; 
which  drove  us  to  a  narrow  search,  and  to  a  dili- 
gent inquisition  concerning  our  state,  which  we 
came  to  see,  through  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus, 
which  was  testified  of;  and  found  it  to  be  eveft 
what  it  was  testified  of. 

"  And  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  we  found 
to  be  near  at  hand;  and  as  we  waited  upon  Him  in 
pure  silence,  our  minds  out  of  all  things,  his  diead- 
ftrl  power,   and  glorious   majesty,   and  heavenly 
presence,  appeared  in  our  assemblies;  when  there 
was  no  language,  tongue,  nor  speech  from  any 
creature ;  and  the  kingdom  of  heaven  did  gather 
us,  and  catch  us  all  as  in  a  net ;  and  his  heavenly 
power  at  one  time  drew  many  hundreds  to  land ; 
that  we  came  to  know  a  place  to  stand  in,  and 
what  to  wait  in;  and  the  Lord  appeared  daily  to 
us,   to  our  astonishment,  amazement,  and  great 
admiration  ;  insoumch  that  we  often  said  one  unto 
another,  with  great  joy  of  heart:   fflutt!  is  the 
kimdom  of  God  come  to  //e  uiih  men'i  And  will 
he  take  up  his  tabernacle  among  the  sons  of  men  as 
he  did  of  old?  And  zihat!  sluill  tve  that  tcere 
reckoned  as  the  outcasts  of  Israel,  liate  this  honour 
ofglori/  communicated  amongst  us,  zchich  were  but 


ilTE    OV    EDWARD    BURROUGH. 


151 


tnen  of  small  parts,  and  of  little  abilitiesy  in  respect 
of  many  others^  as  umjngst  men'^  Howbeit,  this  it 
seemed  good  unto  the  Lord,  to  choose  the  weak 
things,  and  the  foolish  things  of  this  world,  as  to 
the  aspect  of  men,  that  no  flesh  might  glory;  that 
no  man,  because  of  his  parts,  might  glory,  or  be- 
cause of  his  strength  or  wisdom  might  glory ;  but 
that  the  ^lory  which  is  His,  might  be  given  only 
to  Him ;  unto  zvhom  he  the  glory  of  all  his  works, 
for  ever  and  ever.    Amen.  - 

"  And  from  that  day  forward,  our  hearts  were 
knit  unto  the  Lord,  and  one  unto  another,  in  true 
and  fervent  love;  not  by  any  external  covenant,  of 
external  form  ;  but  we  entered  into  the  covenant 
of  life  with  God;  and  tliat  was  as  a  strong  obliga- 
tion or  bond  upon  all  our  spirits,  which  united  us 
one  unto  another;  and  we  met  together  in  the 
unity  of  the  spirit,  and  of  the  bund  of  peace; 
treading  down  under  our  feet,  all  reasoning,  ques- 
tioning, debating,  and  contending  about  religion ; 
or  any  part  or  parts,  or  practice  or  practices 
thereof,  as  to  any  external  thing.  And  we  waited 
at  time  and  times,  as  God  did  grant  us  opportu- 
nities; and  the  more  we  had  and  could  obtain 
from  our  necessary  occasions  of  this  present  life, 
the  better  we  were,  and  the  more  we  were  con- 
firmed and  strengthened  in  our  hope  and  faith; 
and  holy  resolutions  were  kindled  in  our  hearts,  as 

H  4 


152 


LIFE   OF    EDWARD   BURROUGH. 


^H| 


a  fire  w  hich  the  life  kindled  in  us,  to  serve  the 
Ix)rd  while  we  had  a  being,  and  to  ni«Le  mention 
of  his  name  and  power  w  hilst  we  did  live ;  and  to 
hold  forth  that  testimony  which  was  committed  to 
iis^  in  the  sight  of  men  and  nations,  by  doctrines, 
by  practice,  by  a  holy  conversation.  And  mightily 
did  the  word  of  God  grow  amongst  us,  and  the 
desires  of  many  were  after  the  name  of  the  Lord. 
Oh  happy  day!  Oh  blessed  day!  the  memorial  of 
which  can  never  pass  out  of  my  mind.  And  thus 
the  Lord,  in  short,  did  form  us  to  be  a  people  for 
his  praise  in  our  generation. 

"  Howbeit  after  all  this  and  much  more,  which 
time  would  fail  me  to  write  of,  (neither  is  the 
purpose  of  my  spirit  bent  that  way  at  this  time,) 
we  did  come  through  very  great  tribulations,  ex- 
treme distresses,  great  perplexity ;  and  passed  out 
oftentimes  hungry  and  hard  put  to  it,  both  within 
and  without ;  yet  such  was  our  love  to  the  Lord, 
and  such  fervencv  in  our  hearts,  that  we  rather 
chose  to  die,  and  to  undergo  every  difficulty,  than 
to  dishonour  or  deny  the  name  of  Christ,  in  the 
midst  of  suffering;  because  of  that  taste  that  we 
had  of  his  goodness  and  immortal  life,  revealed  in 
our  hearts.  This  young  man  of  whom  I  am  speak- 
ing, had  his  share,  though  but  a  youth  of  16  or  17 
years  of  ajre.  Because  of  the  truth  which  crossed 
all  the  world's  ways/his  nearest  relations,  even  his 


LIFE   OF   EDWARD   BURRO  UGH.  153 

own  parents,  cast  him  off  as  an  alien,  and  turned 
him  out  froiji  their  house,  as  not  to  have  any  part 
or  portion  therein,  as  a  son  ;  nay  not  so  much  as 
a  hired  servant,  which  this  young  man  bore  very 
patiently,  without  murmuring  or  complaining, 
having  a  taste  of  that,  then,  which  was  better  than 
all  the  world;  and  through  conversing  with  his 
people,  and  amongst  them,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
came  upon  him,  and  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  un- 
derstanding entered  into  his  heart ;  and  the  spirit 
of  knowledge  and  sound  judgment  came  to  be 
seated  in  his  reins;  and  the  spirit  of  prophecy 
came  upon  him,  like  as  it  did  upon  many  more 
through  the  Holy  Ghost's  power  and  operation ; 
and  he  spake  of  the  wonderful  things  of  God 
among  them  that  believed,  and  was  one  of  the 
first  among  us,  which  the  Lord  opened  the  mouth 
of,  to  show  forth  his  praise,  and  to  speak  of  the 
tilings  of  his  kingdom  to  as  many  as  he  met  with, 
who  waited  for  the  consolation  of  Israel,  for  the 
riches  of  the  Gentiles,  and  to  as  many  as  desired 
and  hoped  after  eternal  life. 

"  At  last  the  Lord  singled  him  out,  and  com- 
manded him  to  go  forth  into  countries  unknown  to 
him;  as  he  did  some  more  besides ;  upon  whom  he 
laid  a  necessity  to  preach  the  gospel  freely,  with- 
out money,  without  price,  without  tithes,  augmen- 
t ilions;  gifts,  or  rewards ;  and  in  iliat  he  Mas  a? 

H  o 


'^r'  ■' 


154 


LIFE    OF    EDWAP^D    BURROrCH* 


m 


faithful  a  man,  Hone  exceeding  him  in  his  genera- 
tiou  ;  for  those  things  were  an  abUorrency  to  hi? 
heart;   and  where  he  met  with  any  such  hireling- 
shepherds  and  deceitful  workers,  which  had  gulled 
the  nations,  and  cheated  the  people  for  dishonest 
g^ain,  and  kept  them  in  blindness,  the  indignation 
of  the   Lord,  was  kindled  in  his  heart,  and  the 
sword  of  the  Lord  was  very  sharp   in  his  hand  ; 
and  whomsoever  he  met  with   that   walked  after 
this  sort,  they  were  siue  to  feel  the  weight  of  his 
weapon,    and    the  force  of  his  blow,  Uy   which 
many    have    been    deeply    wounded,    and    have 
gnashed  their  teeth  on  him,  greedy  of  their  gain, 
l)ecause  of  their  present  wound  and  blow  that  he 
did  give  them ;   and  though  he  was  but  young  in 
vears,  yet  he  was  full  of  fortitude  and  Uiie  valour. 
The  Lord  oftentimes,  whea  he  exercised  him  in 
such   war  as  this,  hath  fdled  his  quiver  full  of 
polished  sliafts,  and  made  his  bow   to  abide  in 
strength  ;  and  he  was  as  dexterous  and  as  ready 
haudedi^ajs  any  that  I  knew  in  his  day,  against  the 
dragon  and  his  power,  against  llie  beast  and  hi-* 
followers;  and  indeed  he  was  even  handed,  and 
had  a   special   good    aim,    and  seldom    missed 
the  mark.     God  had  filled  his  mouth  with  argu- 
ments, so  that  he  huth  oftea  made  a  breach  in  the 
fiice  of  a  hosU  '     ' 

"  And  ft  was  my  Tot,  which  I  cannot  btit  say  fell 
in  a  <yood  s^round,  to  be  his  companion  and  fellow- 


LIFE    OF    EDWARD    BURROUGH. 


165 


•labourer,  in  the  work  of  the  gospel,  whereunto  we 
were  called,  for  many  years  together.  And  oh! 
w  hen  I  consider,  my  heart  is  broken !  how  sweetly 
we  walked  together  for  many  months  and  years ! 
in  which  we  had  perfect  knowledge  of  one  ano- 
ther's hearts,  and  perfect  union  of  spirit;  not  so 
much  as  one  cross  word,  or  one  hard  thou<Tht  of 
discontent  ever  arose,  I  believe,  in  either  of  our 
hearts,  for  ten  years  togetlier ;  but  our  souls  were 
bound  up  in  unity  and  peace,  having  the  frame  of 
our  hearts  bent  after  one  and  the  self  same  thing ; 
to  wit,  the  propagation  of  that  truth,  by  which 
liberty  was  obtained,  and  salvation  received  through 
Jesus  Christy  the4rue  light  of  the  world.  - 


"  Seeing  through  his  light,  the  whole  world  to 
lie  in  wickedness,  a  necessity  lay  upon  this  person 
of  whom  I  am  speaking,  being  constrained  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord,  by  which  he  was  made  an  able 
minister  of  the  everlasting  gospel,  to  preach  re- 
pentance, conversion,  salvation,  and  remission  of 
sins ;  and  accordingly  he  went  forth,  in  the  name 
and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  man- 
kind, and  was  an  able  minister  of  ihe  glad  tidings 
of  salvation,  in  many  or  most  parts  of  this  land ; 
and  also  be  travelled  thrQugh  again  and  again,  the 
whole  nation  of  Ireland;  and  in  some p^rt  of  Scot- 
land, and  some  part  of  Planders ;  and  his  ministry 
was  made  effectual;  through  the  Almighty  power 


■%■: 


156 


IIFK   OF   EDWARD   BURROUGir. 


LIFE   OF    EDWARD   BURROUGH. 


157 


'■       V 


'^KR 


of  God,  in  turning  many  from  darkness  to  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God.  There  are  many 
thousands  who  are  living  in  the  body,  and  alive  in 
the  truth,  who  can,  in  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  bear 
testimony  to  the  power  and  verity  of  his  ministry, 
in  many  countries  where  he  travelled;  for  he  la- 
boured much  in  divers  places,  even  in  the  heat  of 
the  day ;  though  he  began  early  in  the  morning. 
And  in  the  beginning  of  his  travels  and  labours,  it 
was  his  share  to  break  up  rough  places,  and  un- 
tilled  ground,  and  to  walk  amongst  many  briars  and 
thorns,  which  scratched,  and  pricked,  and  teared; 
and  travelled  whh  some  other  not  without  great 
opposition ;  and  he  often  trod  the  paths  and  ways 
w  hich  had  not  been  occupied  in  the  truth ;  and 
where  darkness  had  the  dominion,  and  was  as  a 
covering,  he  brake  through  as  an  armed  man;  not 
minding  the  opposition,  but  the  victory  and  the 
good  of  all  souls ;  though  to  my  knowledge  his 
siufterinffs  and  trials  have  not  been  small,  nor  his 
exercise  little,  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left; 
in  travel  often;  oftentimes  bufFetted:  sometimes 
knocked  down  by  unreasonable  men,  who  had  not 
faith ;  loaded  with  lies,  slanders,  calumnies,  and 
reproaches;  often  in  weakness;  yea  in  deaths  often; 
in  watching,  fastings,  and  temptations  often ; 
in  straits  and  necessities;  in  perils  among  rude 
Dudtittides;  in  perils  in  khA  temples;  in  perils  in 
Streets  andmarkets,  where  the  Lord  did  iw>ve  him 


often  to  go  in  the  beginning  of  his  time ;  besides 
the  exceeding  weight  of  service,  from  wreck's  end 
to  week's  end ;  insomuch  that  he  had  seldom  many 
hours  of  repose ;  and  often  suffered  by  those  spirits, 
who  lost  their  first  love,  and  rose  in  opposition. 

"  He  was  very  diligent  and  faithful,  true  hearted 
and  valiant ;  and  the  yoke  at  last,  came  to  be  easy 
unto  him,  though  no  ease  at  all  in  the  body,  as  to 
the  outward  man ;  for  he  made  the  work  of  the 
Lord  his  whole  business,  without  takuig  so  much 
liberty  unto  himself,  or  about  any  outward  occa- 
sion in  this  world,  as  to  spend  one  week  to  him- 
self, to  my  knowledge,  these  ten  years.  He  had 
ventured  hitiiself  often  for  the  body's  sake ;  and  a 
great  care,  I  know,  was  in  his  heart,  that  those 
that  he  had  ministered  unto,  and  others  that  had 
believed  the  same  truth,  might  thrive  and  prosper, 
and  might  walk  as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

"  He  was  of  a  manly  spirit  in  the  things  of  God ; 
he  hath  engaged  himself  often  upon  the  Lord's 
account  singly,  in  great  disputes,  when  there  were 
many  opposers  ;  he  hath  stood  in  the  door,  and  in 
the  gap,  against  all  his  enemies,  for  the  worthy 
name  of  God,  and  taken  the  whole  weight  of 
things  upon  his  own  shoulder,  that  others  might 
be  eased;  though  often  to  the  weakening,  md 


f 


158 


LIFE  OF  EDWARD  BURROUGH.. 


LIFE  OF  EDWARD  BURROUGH. 


1^ 


i 


almost  destroying  of  the  outward  man ;  yet  doi«^ 
all  in  love  to  the  Lord,  and  (or  his  people's  sake, 
he  did  it  with  cheerfulness ;  and  it  was  a  grief  to 
him  if  any  opportunity  was  missed  of  doing  good. 
He  was  a  man  of  no  great  learning  in  natural 
tongues,  which  men  so  much  applaud;  yet,  indeed 
his  heart  was  full  of  matter,  aiwl  his  tongue  was 
as  the  hand  of  a  ready  scribe ;  and  yet  he  had  the 
tongue  of  the  learned,  having  had  experiment  of 
the  worlw  of  the  Lord;  and  being  acquainted  with 
many  conditions,  which  God  had  carried  him 
through,  he  could  speak  a  word  in  season,  unto 
all  who  declared  their  conditions  unto  him,  or 
otherways  in  his  public  ministry.  He  was  very 
plausible  and  elegant  in  his  speech,  and  indeed 
had  the  tongue  of  a  learned  orator,  to  declare  him- 
self to  the  understandings  and  consciences  of  all 
men  with  whom  he  conversed,  by  which  many 
received  great  profit,  and  their  understandings 
came  to  be  opened ;  for  his  words  ministered  grace 
lo  the  hearers,  and  his  words  were  forcible  and 
very  pleasant;  as  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of 
silver. 

"  This  yomig  man  of  whom  I  am  speaking,  was 
one  of  the  first,  with  some  others,  who  came  to 
the  city  of  London,  where  he  met  with  no  small 
opposition,  from  professors  of  divers  forms,  and 
also   profane;   who  heeded  no   religion   at   all; 


and  the  way  of  truth  seemed  contemptible,  and 
widiout  form  or  comeliness  to  them  all,  which 
made  the  opposition  so  great,  and  the  labour  so 
hard ;  yet  notwithstandmg,  it  pleased  the  Lord  to 
reach  unto  the  cwisciences  of  many,  and  many  were 
pricked  to  the  heart,  so  that  they  cried  out :  '  What 
shall  we  t/o  to  he  saved T  And  God  made  his 
ministry  very  effectual  to  the  conversion  of  many 
in  the  city  of  London,  whereby  a  great  change 
was  wrought  in  the  hearts  of  many ;  and  many 
hundreds  [were]  brought  to  know  the  Lord  their 
teacher ;  which  are  as  seals  vnto  the  word  of  life, 
through  him,  unto  this  day.  And  many  hundreds, 
I  may  say  thousands,  heard  the  lively  word  of  God 
declared  by  him,  and  were  convinced  of  the  way 
of  truth,  though  still  remaining  in  the  disobedience 
to  that  of  God  in  their  own  hearts,  «nto  which  he 
declared;  and  many  ha v«  lost  their  day,  which  they 
had  of  liearing  and  receiving  the  things  of  God ; 
for  naw  he  is  taken  away  which  might  have  been  a 
help  unto  them  wliile  they  had  time;  and  all  sucb 
are  not  worthy  of  him* 

"  He  continued  in  this  city  very  much  at  time  and 
times,  betwixt  eight  and  nine  years  tc^ether^ 
preaching  the  word  of  God,  and  speaking  of  the 
things  of  bis  kingdom  to  all  that  looked  after  it; 
and  great  watching,,  travail,  and  exercise  in  the 
M>'ork  of  the  Lord ;  and  his  earnest  desire  was,  thai 


160 


tlFB  OF  EDWAlll>  BURBOUGIT. 


LIFE    OF   EDWARD   DURROVGH. 


161 


I 

k 

A) 

•Ml 

(' 


I 

i 

> 


^1 


all  might  have  come  to  know  God's  salvation,  and  the 
redemption  of  their  souls;  and  his  great  dihgence 
was  known  unto  many,  that  his  only  rejoicing  was 
in  the  prosperity  of  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  "the 
increase  of  faith  amongst  them  that  did  believe. 

"  And  his  heart  was  much  drawn  towards  this 
city,  and  oftentimes  hath  he  said  to  me,  when  suf- 
ferings did  come  for  the  gospel's  sake,  which  he 
knew  would  come :  /  can  freely  go  to  that  city  and 
lay  down  my  life  for  a  testimony  of  that  truth  zvhich 
I  have  declared,  through  the  power  and  Spirit  of 
God;  which  in  the  end  indeed  came  to  be  \m 
share;  and  will  foy  ever  be  his  crown,  who  loved 
not  his  life  unto  death,  for  the  testimony  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  And  in  the  same  year  1662,  being  pressed  in 
his  spirit  to  go  visit  them  who  were  begotten  unto 
the  faith  of  God's  elect,  at  the  city  of  Bristol,  and 
in  divers  other  counties;  at  divers  meetings  and 
divers  particular  friends,  he  took  his  leave  of  them, 
saying  to  very  many,  that  he  did  not  know  he 
should  see  their  faces  any  more ;  exhorting  them 
all  to  faithfulness  and  steadfastness  in  that  wherein 
they  had  found  rest  for  their  souls ;  and  said  to 
some :  /  am  going  up  to  the  city  of  London  again, 
to  lay  down  my  lite  for  the  gospel,  and  suffer 
amongst  Friends  in  that  place;  as  having  som? 
sense  of  bis  suffering  before* 


'*  And  a  little  after  his  return  to  the  city,  at  a 
public  meeting  which  the  people  of  the  Lord  have 
kept  these  many  years,  to  hear  and  speak  of  the 
things  of  God  to  edification,  at  the  Bull  and 
Mouth  near  Aldersgate,  by  certain  soldiers  under  the 
command  of  Richard  Brown,  then  general  of  the 
city  of  London,  he  was  violently  plucked  down, 
and  haled  away  in  a  barbarous  manner  and  carried 
to  the  guard,  and  so  committed  to  Newgate ;  not 
for  evil  doing,  but  for  testifying  unto  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  for  the  worship  of  God  ;  as 
though  this  were  become  a  great  crime  worthy  of 
bonds,  and  at  last  death. 

"  He  was  had  to  the  sessions  in  the  Old  Bailey ; 
and  his  accusers  were  witnesses  against  him,  and 
them  that  had  abused  him  violently;  their  testi* 
mony  was  received  as  good  proof  against  him ; 
and  at  last,  after  two  or  three  sessions,  he  was 
fmed  by  the  court  one  hundred  marks,  which  at 
last  was  reduced  to  twenty  marks,  and  to  lie  in 
prison  while  payment ;  where  he  continued  a 
pretty  long  season,  about  eight  months,  with  six 
or  seven  score  prisoners  besides,  upon  the  same 
account;  many  being  shut  up  among  the  felons,  in 
nasty  places;  and  for  want  of  prison  room,  the 
natures  of  many  were  suffocated  and  cor- 
rupted; till  at  last  many  grew  weak,  sickened, 
and  died. 


i6e 


LIFE  OP  EDWARD  BURROUGHS 


LIFE  OF  EDWARD  BURROUGH. 


163 


"  At  last  this  same  young  man  grew  weak,  and 
though,  a  special  order  from  the  king  was  sent  to 
the  then  sheriffs  of  London  for  the  release  of 
him,  and  the  rest  that  were  left  in  prison,  yet  such 
was  the  enmity  of  some  of  the  rukrs  of  the  city, 
that  they  did  what  in  them  lay,  to  obstruct  the 
execution  of  the  order,  that  he  should  not  be  re- 
leased.    And  so  weakness  grew  upon  him  daily, 
though  in  much  patience  he  was  carried  throui^h 
alL     In  the  time  of  his  weakness  he  was  very  fer- 
vent in  prayer,  and  that  often  both  day  and  night, 
imto  the  Lord  as  concerning  himself,  and  also  his 
people ;   and  at   several  times  he  spoke  several 
precious  words,  from  the  sensible  feeling  of  God's 
Spirit-in  his  heart;  and  said:  I  hate  had  the  tes- 
timonif  of  the  LorcTs  love  unto  me  from  my  youiky 
and  my  heart  hath  been  given  up  to  do  thy  will. 
And  he  said  :  /  have  preached  the  gospel  freely  in 
this  city,  and  have  often  given  up  my  life  for  tlie 
gospel's  sake ;  and  now,  Lord,  rip  open,  my  lieart, 
and  see  if  it  be  not  right  before. thee. 

"  Another  time  he  said,  when  he  had  a  little  ease : 
There  is  no  iniquity  lies,  at  my  door;  but  the  presence 
of  the  Lord  is  with  me,  and  his  life  I  feel  justify 
me.  Another  day  afterwards  he  said  :  Thou  hast 
loved  me  when  I  was  yet  unborn,  and  I  have  loved 
thee  from  my  cradle  and  from  my  youth  unto  this 
day,  and  have  served  thee  faithfully  in  my  genera^ 


tion*  And  he  spoke  to  friends  that  were  about 
him,  To  live  in  love  and  peace,  and  love  one  ano- 
ther. And  at  another  time  he  said :  The  Lord 
taketh  the  righteous  from  the  evil  to  come*  And 
he  prayed  for  his  enemies  and  for  his  persecutors, 

and  said :  Lord  forgive  Richard  Brown ;  if  he  may 
he  forgiven, 

"  And  though  the  distemper  and  the  disease  was 
violently  upon  him,  yet  he  was  preserved  sensible. 
And  in  the  morning  before  he  departed  this  life, 
being  sensible  of  his  death,  he  said :  Now  my  soul 
and  spirit  is  centred  into  its  ozcn  being  with  God ; 
and  this  form  of  person  must  return  from  whence  it 
K'os  taken.  And  after  a  little  season  he  gave  up 
the  ghost,  arid  died  a  prisoner,  and  shall  be  re- 
corded and  is  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  as  a 
martyr  for  the  word  of  God  and  the  testimony  of 
Jesus,  for  which  only  he  suffered  and  gave  up  his 
life,  whose  death  was  precious  in  the  eyes  of  the 
Lord.  But  now  he  ever  liveth  with  God,  and  his 
Morks  follow  him,  and  his  labours  shall  testify  of 
him  in  generations  to  come ;  and  thousands  be- 
sides myself  can  bear  witness  his  life  and  death  was 
to  the  praise,  honour,  and  glory  of  the  grace  of 
God,  unto  whom  be  the  glory  of  all  his  works  for 
e^er.    Amen. 

"  By  one  who  hath  chosen  rather  to  suffer  with 
the  people  of  God  called  Quakers,  than  to  enjoy 


» 


H 


r    ! 


164 


LIFE   OF   EDWARD   SUEfiOUGH. 


LIFE    OF    EDWARD    6URR0UGH. 


165 


the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season ;  or  to  be  reckoned 
as  a  prince  amongst  the  uncircumcised. 


«  FRANCIS  HOWGILL/' 


Reading,  the  22ci  oCy 
the  12tb  Months  > 
1662.  ^ 


Tlie  death  of  Edward  Burrough  was  lamented 
by  many  others,  who  expressed  in  various  testimo- 
nials, their  value  for  him  while  living,  and  their 
sorrow  on  account  of  bis  death  ;  which  seems  to 
have  been  universally  felt  by  his  surviving  friends. 

It  appears  from  the  account  of  Francii^  How- 
gill,  and  from  some  of  his  own  expressions  when 
near  the  close  of  life,  that  he  was  religiously  in- 
clined from  early  childhood :  but  though  this  was 
the  case,  we  find  from  his  own  pen,  in  one  of  his 
early  publications,  that  he  was  by  no  means  exempt 
from  the  evil  propensities  of  human  nature.  Speak- 
ing of  himself  before  he  was  twelve  years  of  age, 
he  says :  "  I  was  wanton  and  light,  and  lived  in 
pleasure,  without  the  fear  of  God ;  not  knowing 
God,  but  by  hearsay  and  tradition/' 


About  this  time  he  grew  more  serious,  and  fol- 
lowed the  Presbyterian  and  other  zealous  preachers 
of  that  day.  When  he  was  about  seventeen  years 
of  age,  his  mind  became  more  inwatdly  directed, 
aiid  he  '*  inuch  separated  from  the  Vain  ways  of 
the  world,  and  from  vain  worldly  people."  He 
was  frequently  induced  to  feprove  others  for  their 
wicked  words  and  actions;  but  notwithstanding 
all  this,  he  found  many  evil  inclination^  and  pas- 
sions remain  alive,  by  which  his  tender  mind  was 
at  times  much  exercised ;  though  he  was  disposed 
to  indulge  himself  in  a  kind  of  carnal  security, 
from  the  dangerous  opinion,  that  whom  God  loves 
once  he  loves  for  ever. 

It  was  about  his  seventeenth  year,  that  '*  it 
pleased  the  Lord  to  send  his  true  and  faithful  ser- 
vant and  messenger,  George  Fox ;"  who  spoke  so 
closely  to  his  state,  and  opened  the  situation  of 
his  mind  so  clearly  to  him,  that,  after  some  time 
he  united  himself  to  the  Society  which  was  then 
newly  formed,  under  the  name  of  Quakers;  among 
whom  he  became  an  able  and  powerful  minister^ 
as  is  already  related.  Finding  this  account  of 
himself,  previous  to  this  time,  it  appeared  proper 
to  give  the  substance  of  it  in  addition  to  that  of 
Tiaucis  Howgill. 

In  his  first  visit  to  London,  the  following  ex- 
traordinary circumstance    is    related   by   SeweJ, 


ii 


H: 


\66  LIFE    OF    E»\TAKD    BURROUGH. 

tvhich  I  give  m  his  own  tvords.     "  At  London 
there  is  a  cnstom  in  summer  lime,  when  the  even- 
itig  approaches,  and  tradesmen  leave  oft*  working, 
that  many  lusty  felfows  meet  in   the  fields  to  try 
their  skill  and  strength  in  wrestling,   where  gene- 
rally a  multitude  of  people  stand  gazing  in  a  round. 
1^'ow  it  so  fell  out  that  Edward  Burrough  passed 
by  the  place  where  they  were  wrestling,  and  stand- 
ing still  among  the  spectators,  saw  how  a  strong  and 
dexterous  fellow  had  already  thrown  three  others, 
and  was  waiting  for  a  fourth  champion,  if  any  durst 
venture  to  enter  the  lists.     At  length,  none  being 
bold  enough  to  try,   Edward  Burrough  stept  into 
the  ring,   and    having  looked  upon  the  wrestler 
with  a  serious  countenance,  the  man  was  not  a 
little  surprized,  instead  of  an  airy  antagonist,  to 
meet  with  a  grave  and  awful  young  man,  and  all 
stood,  as  it  were,  amazed  at  this  sight,  eagerly  ex- 
pecting what  would  be  the  issue  of  this  combat. 
But  it  was  quite  another  fight  Edward  Burrough 
aimed  at;  for  having  already  fought  against  spiri- 
tual wickedness,  that  had  once  prevailed  on  hini, 
and  having  overcome  in  measure,  by  the  grace  ot 
God,  he  now  endeavoured  to  fight  also  against  it 
in  others,  and  to  turn  them  from  the  evil  of  their 
ways.    With  this  intention  he  began  very  seriously 
to  speak  to  the  standers  by,  and  that  with  such  a 
heart-piercing  power,  that  he  was  heard  by  thi*« 
mixed  multitude  with  no  less  attention  than  ad 


LIFE   OF   EDWARD   BURROUGH.  1G7 

miration;  for  his  speech  tended  to  turn  them  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  to 
God,  To  eflfect  this  he  laboured  with  convincing, 
words,  showing  how  God  had  not  left  himself  wiiht 
out  a  witness,  but  had  given  to  man  a  measure  of 
his  grace,  and  enlightened  every  one  with  the  liaht 
of  Girist.  Thus  he  preached  zealously;  a°nd 
though  many  miglu  look  upon  this  as  a  novelty, 
yet  it  was  of  such  effect  that  some  were  convinced 
of  the  Truth  ;  for  he  was  a  breaker  of  stony 
hearts,  and  therefore,  by  a  certain  author,  not  un- 
justly called  a  Son  of  Thunder ;  though  he  omitted 
not,  in  due  season,  to  speak  a  word  of  consolation 
to  those  that  were  of  a  broken  heart  and  of  a  con-^ 
trite  spirit." 

£dward  Burrough  appears  to  have  devoted  his 
life  wholly  to  the  service  of  religion.  Though 
scarcely  twenty-eight  years  of  age  when  he  died^ 
besides  employing  his  time  in  travelling  and 
preaching,  he  wrote  and  published  so  much,  as> 
^vhen  collected  after  his  death,  formed  a  close 
printed  folio  volume  of  61)6  pages.  Many  of  his 
writings  are  controversial ;  and  among  his  oppo- 
nents, or  rather  those  whom  he  opposes,  are  the 
famous  John  Bunyan  and  Richard  Baxter.  These 
good  men,  for  so  I  am  disposed  to  call  them, 
had  grossly  misrepresented  the  Quakers;  and  Bur- 
rough replies  to  them,  not  only  with  disproving 


I 


t 


^ 


168 


LIFE  OP  EDWARD  BURROUGH. 


tlFE  OF  EDWARD  BURROUGU. 


169 


their  statements  and  confuting  their  arguments, 
but  also  with  many  personal  reflections,  which 
charity  leads  me  to  apprehend  they  might  not  de- 
serve.    But  it  is  lamentable  to  ^e  how  violently 
itiany  good  men,  particularly  in  those  times,  were 
opposed  to  each  other;  yet  it  has  afforded  me 
some  pleasure  to  observe,  in  looking  through  the 
writings  of  Edward  Burrough  and  some  others 
whose  lives  I  have  noticed,  that  their  earlt/  writ- 
in<'s  were  much  more  tmctured  with  violence,  and 
an  excess  of  zeal,  than  those  published  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  their  lives.     Richard  Baxter,  already 
mentioned,  in  this  period  of  his  life,  published  a 
Review  of  his   Religious  Opinions  and  Contro^ 
versies,  in  which  he  shows  an  abatement  of  that 
violent  zeal  which  he  had  entertained  in  early  life, 
and  he  seems  to  allude  to  his  controversies  with 
Friends,  when  he  expresses  himself  thus :  "  I  am 
now  much  more  apprehensive  of  the  necessity  of 
well  <yrounding  men  in  their  rfeligioti,  and  especially 
of  the  witness  of  the  indwelling  Spirit;  for  I  more 
sensibly  perceive  that  the  Spirit  is  the  great  wit- 
ness of  Christ  in  the  world.    And  though  the  folly 
of  fanatics   tempted   me   long   to   overlook   the 
strength  of  this  testimony  of  the  Spirit,  while  they 
placed  it  in  a  certain  internal  assertion  or  enthu- 
siastic inspiration;  yet  I  now  see  that  the  Holy 
Ghost,  in  another  manner,  is  the  witness  of  Christ; 
and  his  agent  in  the  world." 


Thus  did  Baxter  approximate  to  the  peculiar 
doctrine  of  Friends,  though  he  aj)pears  still 
unwilling  to  admit  their  view  of  it  to  be  right.  It 
is  however  pleasant  to  see  how  the  mind  of  this 
great  Controversialist  softened  down,  in  the  decline 
of  life  and  in  the  increase  of  religious  experience; 
and  how  much  he  was  disposed  to  look  more  at  the 
essentials  of  religion,  in  which  christians  generally 
are  agreed,  than  at  those  lesser  points  on  which 
they  usually  differ. 

Edward  Burrough  was  remarkable  for  his  ad- 
dresses to  the  ruling  powers  of  his  time,  of  whose 
proneness  to  persecution, and  the  evil  consequences 
resulting  from  it,  he  faithfully  warned  them. 
Many  of  his  expressions  may  be  considered  as  pre- 
dicting the  downfall  of  the  government  which  sup- 
ported it ;  and  indeed  his  views  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  with  that  christian  subjection  which  we  owe 
to  the  government  under  which  we  live,  are  staled 
by  him,  in  clear  and  strong  language,  in  several  of 
his  publications. 

The  following  paragraph  from  a  publication, 
entitled,  "  The  Case  of  the  People  called  Qua- 
kers stated  and  published  to  the  World,'*  will 
show  the  uprightness  and  zeal  of  our  early  Friends, 
and  the  resolution  with  which  they  were  prepared, 
to  bear  the  sufferings  imposed   by  their  persecu- 

1 


1^ 


170 


LIFE    OF    EDWAED    BUHROUGH. 


tors :  *^  As  for  oiir  conversations  amongst  ih^n, 
in  respect  of  oor  dafily  walking  and  converse  with 
them  in  our  d^ealing,  in  respect  of  honesty,  and 
faithfulness,  and  truth,  and  .justness  in  -works  and 
words,  our  neighbours  shall  gire  witness  for  us. 
We  will  not  justify  onrselves/tis  God  that  justifies 
US ;  and  the  law  of  God,  gospel  of  Christ,  scrip- 
tures, examples  of  holy  men,  our  neighbours,  and 
^e  witness  of  God  in  all  men*s  consciences,  shall 
bear  witness  to  us.  And,  O  Lord  God  everlast- 
ing !  do  thou  judge  our  cause ;  do  thou  make  it 
manifest,  in  thy  due  seasdn,  to  all  the  world,  that 
"we  are  thy  people ;  that  we  love  thee  above  all ; 
that  we  fear  thy  name  more  than  till ;  that  we  love 
righteousness  and  hate  iniquity ;  and  that  we  now 
suffer  for  thy  holy  name  and  truth,  and  for  thy 
honour  and  justice,  and  for  thy  truth  and  holiness. 
Oh  Lord !  Thou  knowest  that  we  are  ready  to 
perish,  rather  than  to  lose  one  grain  tliereof. 
Amen.     Amen." 

As  ftn  author,  Edward  BurtOugh  was  Strottg, 
and  at  times  sublime  in  his  language ;  his  argu- 
ments are  in  general  clear  and  convincing,  and 
to  his  friends,  his  feeling  heart  often  poured  forth 
the  salutations  of  brotherly  love,  judicious  counsel, 
jmd  affectionate  sympathy.  As  a  specimen  of  his 
writin*^,  I  shall  give  the  following  epistle,  and  with 
It  shall  finish  this  account  of  him ;  only  adding 


LIFE    OF    EDWARD    BURKOUGH.  171 

that  he  was  one  \Vho  justified  the  observation  of 
an  apocryphal  writer,  that  "  Honourable  a«ye  is 
not  that  which  standeth  m  length  of  time,  nor  that 
is  measured  by  number  of  years  ;  but  wisdom  is 
the  grey  hairs  unto  men,  and  an  unspotted  life  is 
old  age." 


To  the  Friends  of  Truth,  in  and  about  London. 

Dearly  and  well-beloved  in  Christ  our  life  and 
glory,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  npon  me,  and  at 
this  time  quickeneth  my  heart  into  the  lively  re- 
membrance of  you  all ;  herewith  sending  the 
hearty  and  fervent  salutation  of  my  dear  and  per- 
fect love,  unto  all  the  faithful  amongst  you ;  for  the 
Father's  love  AHeth  my  heart,  and  hath  raised  up 
my  spirit  into  an  holy  frame  and  temper  of  glad- 
ness and  rejoiciiig,  of  great  joy  and  comfort,  in 
the  remembrance  and  feeling  sense  of  what  the 
Lord  hath  wrought  and  made  manifest  among  his 
people;  and  the  fulness  of  his  love  and  rejoicing 
floweth  out,  hi  praising  and  magnifying  the  Lord 
our  God  for  evermore. 

Oh  what  hath  the  Lord  wrought  for  us  in  our 
day!   How  hath  liis  outstretched  arm  been  made 

1  2 


n 


mZ  tIFE   OF   E^DWARD   BURftdUGH. 

bare  again  and  again,  for  our  salvation  and  deli 
verance !   How  many  have  his  mercies  been,  and 
how  numberless  have  bis  loving  kindnesses  been 
showed  to  us !   How  hath  his  power  and  wisdom 
been  discovered  amongst  bis  people !  by  which  we 
are  quickened  and  revived  into  the  Vtfe  of  righteous- 
ness and  peace,  to  be  servants  and  heirs  of  the 
Everlastinjr    Father,   the   Lord   of    Heaven    and 
Earth;  being  called  by  him  out  of  darkness  into 
his  marvellous  light!  And  how  glorious  is  the  light 
that   hath   appeared   upon   our   tabernacle,    and 
shined  in  our  hearts ;  and  that  hath  led  us  in  the 
way  of  peace,  and  taught  us  in  the  path  of  righ- 
teousness !  Thus  and  much  more  hath,  the  hand 
of  the  Lord  wrought  for  us;  having  raised  us  up 
to  be  a  people,  that  in  times  past  were  not  a  peo- 
ple ;  but  now  he  hath  formed  us  for  himself,  and 
created  us  for  his  praise;  having  gathered  us  as  a 
shepherd  doth  his  flock,   from  our  strayed  estate, 
in  which  we  were  strangers  and  afar  off;  hihabiting 
in  death  and  darkness,  but  now  raised  up  to  sit 
together  in  heavenly  places,  and  to  feed  in  the  fat 
pastures  of  His  fulness,  that  filleth  all  in  all. 

Tliis  hath  been  effected  by  the  hand  and 
power  of  the  Most  High,  who  hath  also  preserved 
tis  unto  this  day  through  many  trials  and  tribula- 
tions; and  again  and  again  when  our  enemies  have 
risen  up  to  destroy  us,  even  then  hath  the  Lord 


JCIFE    OF    EDWARD   BURROUCK.  i73 

been  our  defence,  and  confounded  our  persecutors; 
so  that  we  yet  live,  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord  !  the  remembrance  of  which  infinite,  tender 
mercies  from  the  Father,  that  we  have  received, 
have  a  heavenly  influence  upon  my  heart  at  this 
time;  which  causeth  me  to  say :  What  manner  of 
love  is  this !  Oh  the  height  and  depth  and  infinite- 
ness  of  the  same!  The  beauty  thereof  hath  ravished 
ray  heart;  the  strength  thereof  hath  overcome  me; 
and  the  virtue  thereof  hath  overcome  me;  and  the 
virtue  thereof  hath  filled  my  soul :  and  this  is 
the  present  frame  of  my  spirit,  full  of  love  and 
good -will  to  the  Lord  God,  and  to  all  his 
saints,  and  particularly  unto  you,  unto  whom  my 
spirit  desifeth,  in  the  Lord,  increase  of  peace,  and 
mercies,  and  blessings,  and  all  heavenly  virtue 
unto  you  all;  for  I  am  under  particular  engage- 
ments unto  you,  more  than  unto  many. 

1st,  Because  my  labour  and  service  in  the  work 
of  the  gospel  hath  been  more  amongst  you  than 
amongst  others ;  even  for  divers  years  have  I  been 
conversant  among  you,  in  the  administration  of  the 
gift  of  the  gospel ;  by  dispensing  the  word  of  life, 
to  the  converting  of  some,  and  to  the  strengthen- 
ing and  confirming  of  others,  in  the  way  of  the 
Lord.  And  let  the  just  God  bear  witness,  of  that 
faithfulness,  and  integrity,  and  sincerity  of  heart, 
in  which  he  hath  carried  me  amongst  you,  while 


iHi 


i! 


174  LIFE   OF    EDWARD    BURROUGB. 

many  precious  days  I  have  passed  away  wilh  yon, 
and  have  not  sought  yours  but  you  ;  nor  do  I  de- 
sire ought  concerniBg  you,  but  your  foithfulness 
to  the  Lord;  and  your  growth  and  establishment 
in  the  wisdom  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  that  blessings 
and  peace  may  ever  rest  with  you.  And  seeing 
it  is  thus  that  some  of  my  precious  years,  iu  the 
tervice  of  God,  have  been  spent  amongst  you; 
therefore  is  my  heart  and  spirit  engaged  to  you 
wards,  even  vihile  I  Hve,  to  advise  you  and  exhort 
vou,  and  to  pray  for  you,  that  you  may  be  found 
ni  the  failli,  and  established  in  the  truth,  and  con- 
tirmed  iu  the  possession  that  newr  fodes  away. 

Cd,  In  respect  of  that  place  of  your  outward 
residence,  that  great  city  I  mean  where  Satan's 
seat  is,  and  where  wickedness  abounds,  and  many 
temptations  and  provocations  which  may  attempt 
to  draw  you  from  the  Lord,  I  do  know  the  dan- 
gers are  many,  which  may  easily  be  met  withal!  in 
that  place;  there  is  both  the  love,  glory,  and  ex- 
cellency of  Uiis  world  near  unto  you,  and  also  the 
terrors,  threats,  losses,  and  persecutions  of  this 
evil  woild^  even  dwelling  with  you ;  all  which  may 
work  upon  some,  many  fears  and  doubts,  and  be- 
get temptations  to  the  denying  of  the  Lord.  And 
seeing  the  danger  is  such  to  you  wards,  in  that 
place,  even  more  than  to  some  others,  therefore  is 
my  soul  engaged  to  admonish,  and  instruct,  and 


LIN5   OF   EDWARD   BURROUGH.  175 

pray  for  your  preservation  unto  the  end,  that  ye 
may  walk  as  the  Lord's>  and  to  his  'glory. 

36,  And  also  my  desires  are  for  you,  that  bles- 
sing and  peace  may  be  multiplied  unto  you,  and 
that  you  may  walk  in  the  wisdom  and  power  of 
the  Lord,  in  this  respect;   that  truth  may  be  ho- 
noured, and  crowned  with  dominion,  and  authority, 
and  good  report,  in  that  great  city,  by  your  faithful- 
ness, and  patience,  and  diligence,  and  all  the  fruits  of 
righteousness;  for  as  many* temptations  do  attend 
you,  as  I  have  said  before^  so  also  many  eyes  are 
upon  you,  beholding  what  you  are,   and  what  you 
do,  and  what  will  become  of  you.     And  if  you 
walk  in  faithfulness  and  righteousness,  and  be  pre- 
served unto  the  Lord  in  boldneifs  and  valour,  for 
his  name*s  sake;  this  will  magnify  the  truth,  and 
crown  it  with  honour,  and  strengthen  and  comfort 
many  that  are  weak ;  and  be  a  joy  to  all  the  up- 
right ;  and  it  will  confound  your  enemies,  and  put 
them  to  shame,  and  limit  the  unreasonable  spirit 
of  the  powers  of  darkness,  when  our  enemies  see 
your   just,    faithful,    righteous,    and    inoffensive 
manner  of  walking  in  all  things.     And  therefore, 
for  this  cause,  my  heart  is  engaged  to  pray  for 
you ;  seeing  the  eyes  of  many  are  upon  you,  t» 
mark  your  ways  and  doings,  and  what  will  be 
the  end. 

1  4 


I 


176  LIFE   OF    EDWARD    BURROUGH. 

And  now  dearly  beloved,  as  by  the  free  grace 
and  kindness  of  God,  ye  are  called  unto  this  call- 
ing, and  are  renewed  and  changed  into  the  life  of 
righteousness;   so  it   is  by  the  same  grace  and 
power  of  the  Father,  that  ye  must  stand  and  be 
preserved  unto  the  end ;  for  by  grace  and  faith  we 
all  stand,  even  through  diligence,  faithfulness,  and 
watchfulness  in   the  same  grace,  being  obedient 
unto  its  teachings,  and  fruitful  in  its  motions,  and 
walking  by  its  rule,  in  meekness  and  lowliness  of 
heart,  In  sincerity  and  godly  fear ;  not  being  or 
doing  any  thing  of  ourselves,  distinct  or  divided 
from" this  grace;  but  being  and  doing  all  things 
through  the  grace  of  God  dwelling  in  us:  and  this 
is  the*  highest   perfection  of  saints.     Every  one's 
highest  state  admits  of  watchfulness,  and  faithful- 
ness, and  obedience,  and  to  hearken  to  the  Lord 
and  do  his  will  in  all  things ;  and  whatsoever  is  of 
ourselves  and  related  to  the  outward  world,  may 
be  kept  in  subjection  by  His  power,  that  He  alone 
may  rule,  and  be  exalted  in  heaven  and  earth;  and 
in  all  things  what  we  are  and  what  we  do. 

And  wait  upon  the  Lord,  that  ye  may  be  esta- 
blished and  settled  in  the  truth,  and  that  ye  may 
be  confirmed  therein  for  ever,  as  being  natural 
heirs  of  the  possession  of  grace  and  truth,  to  do, 
and  walk,  and  live,  according  to  his  will ;  being  so 
hiherited  as  never  to  go  forth  any  more,  and  able 


LIFE   OF   EDWARD   Bt'RROUGH, 


177 


to  say,  Nothing  can  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
God;  not  death,  nor  life,  nor  any  other  thing. 

For  I  would  put  you  in  mind,  and  ye  also  know 
it,  how  that  many  have  been  touched  in  their 
heart  with  the  sense  of  the  Lord,  and  his  love,  yea 
and  many  have  enjoyed  of  the  good  gift  of  God,  and 
walked  with  us  far  a  time,  but  have  not  remained 
unto  the  end ;  but  have  started  aside  from  the 
Lord,  and  been  overcome  with  the  temptations  of 
this  world ;  even  to  the  forsaking  of  the  way  of 
truth  and  righteousness ;  and  such  have  dishonoured 
the  Lord,  and  forfeited  their  place  and  inheritance 
in  God,  and  become  hardened  in  their  hearts,  and 
dead  to  Ggd;  and  the  latter  end  of  such  hath  been 
worse  than  tlieir  beginning ;  though  yet  for  a  tinoe 
such  walked  with  us,  and  tasted  of  the  good  gifts 
of  God,  yet  are  become  reprobates,  because  their 
hearts  have  not  been  firm,  and  constant,  and  sound, 
and  approved  to  God;  but  of  an  evil  frame  and 
temper  of  spirit,  ambitious,  vain-glorious,  self- 
seeking,  and  such  like ;  which  sp?Ht  could  not 
retain  the  gift  of  God,  but  abused  it  and  peiK 
Terted  it  from  its  proper  end. 

And  therefore,  dearly  beloved,  it  is  exceeding 
precious  to  have  a  heart  and  spirit  tried  and  ap- 
proved of  the  Lord ;  a  good  and  honest  heart  ;  as 
upright  and  contrite  spirit ;  for  that  will  abide  ia 

J  5 


J 


178  LIFE    OF    EDWARD    BURROUGH. 

fallhfuliiess  unto  God,  through  all  tribulationa  aud 
trials.  If  the  heart  be  right  in  the  sight  of  God, 
whatsoever  the  knowledge  be,  or  whetlier  the  gifts 
be  little  or  great,  yet  the  Lord's  presence  is  there, 
and  such  are  blessed;  so  that  it's  not  enough,  only 
to  lyive  a  touch  and  taste  of  the  loving-kindness  of 
God  ;  but  every  one  must  he  established  therein, 
in  an  approved  heart  and  tried  spirit;  which  can 
endure  all  things,  and  not  be  shaken,  nor  moved; 
and  it's  only  that  kind  of  spirit  which  is  meek  and 
lowly,  sincere  and  upright,  which  is  establised  in 
the  truth;  and  which  onl],[  can  reroain  immjxvable* 

And    according    to    the   ancient   doctrine    of 
Chnst,  which  ye  have  believed,  every  one  must 
look  to  your  own  particular  standing,,  and  must 
feel  your  own  particular  joy,  peace,  and  comfort; 
and  must  receive  tlie  assurance  of  life  in  your,  own 
bouls;  for  it  is  an  everlasting^  word.     Everyone 
nuist  stand  by  their  own ;   by  what  ihey  feel  and 
enjoy  of  eternal  life  in  their  own  hearts;, that  only 
is  every  one'<  security  and  assurance,  in  the  king- 
dom  of  peace  and  glory;  and  it  is  tlie  height  of 
^»eifection  to'have  tlic  seal  of. the  Spirit  of  God  in 
our  consciences,  witnessing  to  us  that  we  are  the 
Lord's.     And  bJessed  are  they  that  have  this  tes- 
timony, even  that  of  th^  Spiris  of  the  Fatlier,  whicli 
is  the  everlasting  comforter  agninst  all  sorrow,  and 
the  perfect  seal  against  all  doubts,  and  the  sure 


ItFE    OF    EDWARD    BURROUGIT. 


179 


gnide  against  all  opposition.  This  is  the  office  of 
the  Spirit  of  tlie  Lord,  and  it's  work  in  tie  hearts 
of  his  children. 

Therefore  my  advice  is  to  yoii,  as  from  the 
beginning,  look  to  your  own,  to  your  own  measure 
of  the  gift  of  grace  and  truth;  that  only  stands 
when  all  wanderings  after  mcnand  things^fall ;  and 
in  that  is  your  security  as  I  have  said"-.- 

And  let  your  conversations  and  walkings  be* 
such  as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Chi ist,  in  all  faith- 
fulness and  righteousness ;  that  you  may  be  an 
honour  to  the  Lord  in  your  generation ;  for  this 
only  have  we  to  do  in  this  world,  even  to  show 
forth  his  praise  and  glory^  who  hath  created  us  ia. 
Christ  Jestis^. 

All  things  in  relation  to  truth,  are  well  itr 
these  countries;  the  dominion  of  truth  is  set  up 
over  the  heads  of  the  wicked;  and' it  is- a  terror  Iq 
its  enemies^  and  the  joy  oi  all  goo<f  men ;  and 
Friends  are  faithful  in  the  pow  er  of  the.Loixl,  and 
look  over  thi*  world^  to  the  world  that  hath  no 
end,  and  thea  hope  and  confidence  is  in  that ;  and 
meetings  are  generally  q^aiet^  and  the  presence  of 
the  Loid  is  amongst  his  people.  And  thus  to  the 
^acc;  power;,  and  wisdoja  of  the  Lord  God;  are  ye^ 


180  XIFE    OV    EDWARD    BURROUGH. 

committed,  who  is  the  only  Preserver  of  his  chil- 
dren.    Grace  and  peace  be  zcith  you  all. 

EDWARD  BURROUGH; 


"tJnderbarrow,  tlie  ISth*^ 
davot'theSth  month,  > 
1661.  > 


CHAPTER   XIV, 


LIFE  OF  HUMPHREY  SMITH. 


I 


Of  the  time  and  place  of  Hamphrey  Smith's 
birth,  or  of  his  parentage  and  education,  I  find  no 
trace,  either  in  his  own  writings,  or  in  those  of  his 
friends  concerning  him.     His  residence,  when  at 
home,  was  at  Little  Cawerne,  in  Herefordshire. 
He  was  early  inclined  to  religion  and  virtue;  but 
tliis  disposition,  so  consoling  to  a  pious  parent, 
rather  excited  the  disgust  of  his  father,  who  we 
are  told  often  checked  him   because  of  his  soli- 
dity.    In  his  youth,  and  for  some  time  after  his 
marriage,  he  underwent  many  close  conflicts  of 
spirit,  finding  much  to  contend  with  in  himself, 
both  of  a  natural  and  spiritual  kind,  before  he 
could  feel  his  mind  liberated  from  those  things 
which  kept  him  in  bondage,  and  prevented  his  at- 
taining the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of 
God. 


Tse 


LIFE    OF   HrMPUREY    SMITH. 


One  of  his  cotemporary  Friends,  speaking  of 
him,  says :  "  He  followed  the  zealous  professors, 
and  increased  mightily  in  that  knowledge  which 
stands  in  the  comprehension  ;  yea,  exceeded  many 
of  his  equals  ;  but  at  la&t  the  Lord  separated  hmi 
for  his  own  glory,  and  sent  him  forth  iu  his  own 
power  and  eternal  name-" 

He  had  been  for  a  considerable  time  a  minister 
among  some  of  the  high  professors  of  that  day, 
and,  I  suppose,  about  the  year  1654,  joined  himself 
to  the  despised  people  called  Quakers,  among 
whom  he  found  relief  to  his  deeply  conflicted 
mind,  and  soon  afterward  became  a  zealous  and 
successful  preacher  in  this  society,  many  being 
added  to  their  numbers,  through,  the  means  of  his 
gospel  labouiis- 

In  the  year  1635,  he  was  committed  to  prisou 
at  Evesham  in  Worcestershire,  being  arrested  with 
some  other  Friends  at  a  meeting  there.  The  place 
of  their  continemeut  was  very  small,  without  light, 
or  any  convenience  necessary  for  cleanliness  and 
decency.  In  this  place  they  were  confined  above 
fourteen  weeks,  experiencing  many  acts  of  cruelty 
from  an  unfeeling  jailer,  who  acted  under  the 
direction,  however,  of  a  still  more  unfeeling 
jnagistrate,  Edmund  Youpg^  the  ma}or  of  thiii 
towo^ 


XIFE    OF   HUMPHREY    SMITH.  1B3 

Besides  this  imprisonment,  he  suffered  several 
others,  particularly  at  Exeter  and  Winchester.    In 
the  latter  place  he  appears  to  have  been  twiee  im- 
prisoned ;   first  in  the  year  1658,  and  the  second 
tune  in  166I&1665.  During  his  first  confinement, 
he  was  again  put  into  a  very  offensive  situation; 
for  he  dates  a  paper  entitled,  "  The  just  Complaint 
of  the  Afflicted,"  &c.  from  -  a  filthy  prison  and 
place  unfit  for  men,  at  Winchester,   this  24th  of 
the  8th  month,   1658."     His  latter  imprisonment 
which  only  terminated  with  his  Hfe,  seems  to  have 
been  in  the  same,  or  a  similar,  place.     His  mitti^ 
mus  is  dttted  the  Uth  day  of  October,  166 1 ;  and 
about  that  time,  in  the  succeeding  year,  his  health 
sunk  under.his  severe  sufferings,  from  which  death 
afforded  him  a  release,  that  his  cruel  persecutors 
could  not  be  prevailed  on  to  grant;  though  his  de- 
tention appears  to  have  been  as  contraiy  to  Jaw^ 
as  it  was  to  justice  and,  mercy.. 

During  his  sickness  he  waspreserved  in  mucfi« 
patience  and  resignation,  and  "  spake  several  pre- 
cious words  to  Friends,  signifying  to  them  that  he 
was  given  up  in  th«  will  of  the  Lord,  either  in  life 
or  death."  At  a  time  when  the  fever  was^strong 
upon  him,  he  said  i  "  My  heart  is  filled  with  th^ 
power  of  God.  It  is  good  for  a  man  at  such  a 
Ume  as  this,  to  have  the  Lord  to  be  his  friend." 
At  another  time  he  expressed  himself  thus :  "Loa)e 


9Vi 


J84 


LIFE    OF   HUMPHREY    SMITH. 


LIFE    OF    HUMPHREY    SMITH. 


185 


thou  sentest  me  forth  to  do  thy  will,  and  I  have  been 
faithful  to  thee  in  my  «mall  measure,  which  thou 
hast  committed  unto  me;  but  if  thou  wilt  yet  try 
me  further,  tliy  will  be  done.** 

Near  the  time  of  his  departure,  he  was  engaged 
in  earnest  supplication  to  the  Lord,  that  he  would 
deliver  his  people  from  theii-  cruel  oppressors,  and 
that  those  who  had  been  convinced  by  him  might 
experience  the  Lord  to  be  their  teacher;  saying 
also,  "  O  Lord!  hear  the  inward  sighs  and  groans 
of  thine  oppressed,  and  deliver  my  poor  soul  from 
the  oppressor.      O  Lord!  hear  me.      O  Lord! 
uphold  and  preserve  me.     I  know  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth.    Thou  art  strong  and  mighty,  Oh 
Lord!"  In  this  state  of  mind  did  this  innocent  suf- 
ferer and  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel,  quit  this 
state  of  conflict,  there  b  good  reason  to  believe, 
for  that  crown  of  righteousness,  which  is  the  re- 
ward of  those,  who  have  fought  the  good  fight, 
have  kept  the  faith,  and  have  loved  the  appearing 
of  Jesus  Christ. 

During  Humphrey  Smith's  different  imprison- 
ments, he  represented  his  suffering  case,  and  laid 
it  closely  upon  his  persecutors.  In  the  piece 
already  noticed,  written  durmg  his  confinement  at 
Winchester,  he  thus  addresses  the  magistrates  of 
the  county  of  Hants :  "  Oh,  ray  heart  is  ealar^ec. 


and  I  am  filled  with  the  indignation  of  the  Lord, 
and  overcome  with  the  power  of  his  might!  Many 
woes  could  I  from  the  Lord  declare,  and  much 
of  his  judgment  make  known  unto  you;  yea,  many 
lines  might  I  write,  and  unfold  the  mysteries  of 
his  power,  which  from  your  eyes  are  hid ;  and  long 
hath  my  soul  mourned  in  secret  for  you;  and  be- 
cause of  the  fierce  terrors  of  the  Lord  which  you 
cannot  escape,  mine  eyes  have  been  filled  with 
tears,  and  my  heart  with  sorrow;  and  that  for  you. 
Oh  ye  blind,  scornful,  and  rebellious  men,  that 
rule  this  county !  The  Lord  God  will  bring  shame 
upon  you,  and  your  names  shall  rot,  and  be  left 
for  an  evil  savour  for  the  generations  to  come.*' 

This  prophetic  warning  was  soon  fulfilled  upon 
these  persecuting  magistrates,  who  were  of  the 
high  professors  in  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell. 
It  was  written  in  the  year  1658,  and  in  1660, 
Charles  the  Second  was  admitted  to  the  govern- 
ment of  these  realms,  the  consequences  of  whick 
it  is  needless  to  relate* 

The  above  was  not  the  only  instance  of  pro- 
phetic foresight,  with  which  this  Friend  appears 
to  have  been  endued.  In  the  collection  of  his 
works,  which  are  contained  in  a  small  quarto  vo- 
lume of  between  3  and  400  pages,  I  find  a  piece, 
entitled,  "  The  vision  of  Humphrey  Smidi  which 


I 


i 


166 


LIFE   OF   HUMPHREY   SMITH. 


he  saw  concerning  London,  in  the  5th  month  in 
the  year  I66O,  being  not  long  after  the  king  came 
in."     In  this  vision^  he  foretells  a  great  fire  in 
London,  which  accordingly  took  place  in  the  year 
1666.     These  are  his  words:  "  As  for  the  city 
herself,  and  her  suburbs,  and  all  that  belonged  to 
her^  a  fire  was  kindled  therein^  but  she  knew  not 
how,  even  in  her  goodly  places ;  and  the  kiiiiling 
of  it  was  in  the  foundations  of  her  buildings,  and 
there  was  none  could  quench  it;  neither  was  there 
any  able,  and  the  burning  thereof  was  exceeding 
great,  and  it  b»rned  inward,  in  a  hidden  manner, 
which  cannot  be  expressed  ;  and  the  fire  consumed 
foundations  which  the  city  stood  upon,  and  the  taH 
buildings  fell ;  and  it  consumed  all  the  lofty  things 
therein,  and  the  fire  searched  out  all  hidden  places, 
and   burned    most    in    secret    places  ;    but   the 
cousumation  was  exceeding  great  with  wliich  it 
consume  d.** 

Durmg  his  last  imprisonment,  and  only  abouC 
a  month  before  his  decease,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  a 
near  relation.  The  excellency  of  the  matter,  and 
the  stale  of  mind  in  which  it  represents  him,  are 
Buch  as  lead  me  to  believe  the  in«ertioR  of  it  wiU 
be  acceptable  to  my  readers,  and  form  an  agreea- 
ble conclusion  to  the  account  of  this  extraordinary 

man* 


LIFE   OF   HUMPHREY  SMITH.  187 

The  letter  had  the  following  superscription : 

"  This  for  my  nearly  related  friend  Elizabeth 
Smith,  at  Little  Cawerne : 

"  The  God  of  Heaven  that  made  me,  and  the 
Lord  God  of  power  that  called  me  to  obey  and 
follow  him,  even  in  that  day  when  I  was  not  ac- 
quainted with  his  voice ;  and  who  hath  been  my 
guide,  defence,  succour,  and  comfort  unto  this  day 
and  moment,  and  who  hath  ever  upheld  me  as  a 
father,  the  child,  by  the  arm  of  his  power,  whom 
the  world  neither  did  nor  can  by  its  wisdom  ever 
know;  who  is  the  only  wise,  invisible  Spirit,  that 
upholdeth  all  things  by  the  Word  of  his  power; 
who  is  dreadful  to  the  Heathen  that  know  him 
not,  and  more  precious  than  ever  can  be  expressed 
with  tongue  or  pen,  unto  those  who  have  felt  and 
received,  and  live  in,  the  true  sense  of  the  enlarging 
incomes  of  the  virtue  of  his  power;  the  life  whereof 
to  them  i«  most  desirable. 

My  strength,  life,  and  refuge  alone  is  He,  whose 
service  I  have  no  cause  to  decline,  and  whose  pre- 
cious, powerful  call  he  never  gave  me  cause  to 
repent;  for  with  himself  he  hath,  and  doth  daily 
gratify  me  with  a  full  re^iard  for  all,  and  all  man- 
ner of  my  manifold  trials,  and  daily  sufferings  and 
exercises  which  I  meet  with  in  the  way;  but  really 


188 


LIFE  OF  HUMPHREY  SMITH. 


XIFE  OF  HtMPHREY  SMITH. 


189 


( 
J 


and  absolutely  I  can  truly  say,  that  none  of  these 
thin^^s  move  me  m  the  least,  from  that  foundation 
upon  whieh  the  God  of  Heaven  and  Earth  hath 
long  since  established  roe,  that  I  might  stand  for 
Him,  and  the  glory  of  his  name,  who  hath  both 
set  and  appointed  me  thereunto,  and  given  me 
courage  as  a  fortified  tower,  to  stand  as  a  mark 
for  the  adversaries  of  Sion,  to  vent  forth  the  ut- 
most of  their  limited  fury. 

And  in  the  Lord  my  strength  is  my  confidence ; 
neither  have  I  believed  that  ever  I  should  distrust 
Him,  though  since  the  day  that  I  have  known  him, 
he  hath  even  suffered  the  sorrows  of  death,  aud 
the  pangs  of  hell,  and  the  powers  of  unutterable 
darkness,  at  some  times,  to  compass  me  in  on 
every  side,  and  to  lift  up  themselves  in  the  vaunt- 
ing arrogancy  of  the  swelling  pride  thereof,  as 
mountains  never  to  be  removed.     But  behold  He 
who  hath  his  way  in  the  whirlwind,  and  his  path 
through  the  midst  of  the  deepest  ocean.    Him  alone 
it  was  that  my  broken  heart  was,  by  the  power  of 
his  constraining  love,  resolved  to  follow  for  ever, 
even   through   the   greatest   difficulties,   and   the 
hardest  straits,  trials,  aud  hardships,  with  all  man- 
ner of  inward  and  outward  sufferings,  that  might 
be  permitted  to  happen  unto,  or  fall  upon,  any 
one  of  the  children  of  men* 


O  that -I  could   now   sufficiently   declare  his 
goodness,  aud  so  fully  and  effectually  make  men- 
tion of  his  power,  as  it  deservelh ;  or  as  the  Lord 
hath  given  into  my  heart  to  desire  of  him  to  be 
made  use  of,  in  the  declaration  or  manifestation 
thereof,  in  this  ray  day,  unto  the  sons  or  children 
of  men !  Surely  when  I  am  wailing  of  him,  and 
of  his  unutterable  goodness  and  power,  my  words 
and  lines  are  also  short  of  setting  forth  the  virtue 
and  fulness  of  the  most  unexpressibl^,  divine  ex* 
cellency  thereof,  that  sometimes  I  am  rather  ready 
to  dwell  in  silence  with  and  in  the  fulness  thereof, 
which  overcomes  with  unutterable  virtue,  than  to 
be  writing  of  that  which  in  itself  can  never  be 
written,  though  what  is  written,  may  be  by,   and 
with,  and  from  the  overflowings  of  the  same ;  and 
so  be  as  drops  or  little  streams  of  heavenly  water, 
to  refresh  the  dry  and  thirsty  land,  which  therein 
doth  its  service ;  and  then  the  praise  thereof  is  to 
return  unto  Him  who  is  the  alone  fountain  of  all 
virtue,  and  the  life  which  giveth  life,  even  unto  the 
dead  that  hear  his  voice ;  whereby  He  comes  to  be 
known  to  be  Injinite  in  wisdom,  power,  and  virtue; 
whom  my  soul  doth  honour,  my  heart  doth  praise,' 
and  my  spirit  adoreth  for  ever;  for  none  is  like  to 
Him,  neither  doth  my  soul  desire  any  other  but 
Hmi,  whilst  in  this  body,  or  for  evermore  in  the 
life  which  yet  doth  come. 


I 


s 


i 


190  LIFE   OF   HUMPHREY   SMITH. 

Let  all  that  know  Him  bow  before  him;  and 
let  all  that  hear  his  voice  be  humble  and  meek, 
and  let  every  one   that  truly   desires  after  hmi, 
^,ait«ith  diligence  and  in  patience  upon  Him; 
and  let  all  that  .re  faithful  to  him,  rejoice  m  h« 
love,  and  pri^e  him  for  much  more  than  the  liberty 
of  their  bodies,  or  the  enjoyment  of  thousands  and 
thousands  of  thousands  of  temporal,  visible,  earlh  y 
things;  all  which  are  his,  and  He  is  ours;  yea  He 
is  certainly  mine  and  I  am  his,  and  my  soul  doth 
magnify  him,  and  my  spirit  doth  yet  breathe    fur- 
Uier  to  sound  forth  his  praises,  not  only  all  the 
days  of  ray  life,  whilst  in  this  earthly  tabernacle; 
bat  likewise  in  the  hearts  of  thousands  of  them  yet 
nnbom.  and  among  the  generations  that  are  yet  to 
come,  bv  my  faithful,  upright  testimony,  and  the 
record  thereof,  which  may  remain,  when  the  God 
and  Father  of  my  life  hath  gathered  me,  vrith  the 
rest  of  his  servants  of  old,  to  live  with  Him,  in  the 
delightsome  ocean,  of  the  infinite  fulness  of  his 
mos't  desirable  power,  and  precious  presence ;  the 
streams  whereof  already  are  as  the  free  issuings 
forth  of  life  eternal,  and  as  the  streams  of  mercy, 
and  the  dews  of  the  morning,  refreshing  even  the 
outmost  borders  of  my  dwelling,  and  comforting 
the  mournful  places  of  my  habitation. 

Who  can  express  his  goodness !  What  man  can 
utter   his   bounty!    or  how  can  man   either  in 


"PE    OF   HtlMPHREY  SMITH.  I91 

words  or  with  pen,  sufficiently  signify  forth,  ,he 

I. .ess  and  virtue  of  that  which%aL.hW 

ledgelBeholdmydwelJingisinu,  andniylife 

^  bound  up  with  the  innocent  lambs,  «ho  live  in 
Ae  feelmg  virtue  Of  that,  „hich  much  super- 
aboundeth   the  most   pleasant    and  delightsome 

Aat^hear  them,  hear  the  truth,  h.  the  which  riie 
We  doth  stand;  and  they  that  hear  the  truth,  het 
Him  from  whence  the  life  doth  come;  which  life 
Itself,  m  the  power  and  virtue  of  it,  is  the  centre 
of  the  upright,  the  refuge  .f  the  innocent,  and  the 

thing  itse^  unto  which  itself  is  drawing  and  ga- 

Aering,  that  It  may  be  known  within;  even  to 
those  who  have  been  astray  therefrom,  that  the 
one  fold,  the  one  succour,  the  one  food,  the  one 
shepherd,  xy^e  one  refag.,  the  one  spirit,  the  one 
heart,  and  the  one  mnd,  may  be  known;  and  so 
•he  oneOod,  in  the  only  one  -unity,  worshipped, 
served,  and  praised,  from  the  power,  life,  and  vir- 
tue of  th<>ne  Spirit,  which  comes  from  the  only 
o,w  God  of  heaven  and  earth;  before  whom  let  the 
heathen  be  astonished,  m,d  the  ungodly  fear  and 
tremble,  and  the  brambles  of  the  earth  prepare  for 
the  day  of  his  righteous  judgments  and  fiery  indig- 
wtion;  [with]  zehich,  as  the  breath  of  his  nostril, 
ieing  mixed  tcithjtames  of  endless  burnings,  He  will 
plead  tilth  his  own  open  adversaries ;  which  shall  be 
"we  fully  manifest,  in  the  great  day  of  the  Lord, 


M 

It, 


193  LIFE    OF   HUMPHKEY    SMITH. 

ate  all  mankind  mmt  give  an  accmnt  to  Him,  both 
of  idle  and  Kicked  tcords;  and  likczose  of  tkew 
deeds  done  in  the  body. 

«  The  Lord  God  hasten  that  day,  and  let  Him 
come,  even  Him  v»ho  comelh  as  a  thief  in  the 
nicht,  even  the  Urd  Jesus  Christ,  v^ho  sa.d,  <  / 
am  the  Truth,'  the  Spirit  whereof  the  world  ca,.- 
not  receive,  but  we  have  known  him,  and  received 
him.  and  know  that  he  is  true,  and  have  beheved 
on  him.  and  have  often  drunk  of  the  living  water 
that  springeth  up  unto  life  eternal,  .n  those  that 
truly  believe.    And  this  I  say,  for  ever  b  essed  are 
they  that  believe  and  endure  to  the  end ;  for  whom 
God's  crown  of  life  is  prepared,  and  for  all  who 
give  up  their  lives,  and  suffer  faithfully   for  ti,e 
honour  of  him,  who  hath  so  far  honoured  them, 
as  to  account  them  worthy  to  bear  their  testimony 
a„dtosnfferforhim;i«thewhich,  Isay,  the 

Loid   preserve  my    friends  and   brethren   every 
^vhere,  who  have  tasted  of  God's  loving  kindness 
and  remain  sensible  at  present  of  *«  "^""n^." 
his  love.   And  let  all  Friends  so  dwell  in  the  faith 
which  is  the  gift  of  God  over  the  world,  as  to  hve 
thereby,    and   not  to    lose   the   crown   of  glory 

and  immortality,  which  was   desired    from  ^ 
breathings  of  the  seed,  in  the  days,  of  Jacob 
captivity. 


UFE    OP    HUMPHREY   SMITH. 


193 


!ie 


And  the  Lord  God  of  my  life,  preserve  and  defend 
the  plants  of  righteousness,  even  by  his  own  power 
and  his  own  Spirit,  in  that  day.  and  at  that  time' 
when  all  other  helps  may  not  be  available;  thaf 
then  the  sufficiency  of  the  greatneSs  of  his  own 
wisdom  and  strength,  may  be  apparent ;  and  then 
most  happy  shall  those  be,  who  are  found  worthy 
to  suffer  and  endure  all  manner  of  trials,  cruelties, 
and  hardships,  for  Him  and  his  name's  sake ;  and 
to  live  and  reign,  and  enjoy  his  unutterable  peace 
and  rest,  which  is  in  himself,  treasured  up  as  a 
full  reward;  and  much  more  than  could  have  been 
expected,   for  the  upright  in  heart,  who  end  their 
days  in  truth,  and  finish  their  course  in  righteous- 
ness, and  lay  down  their  lives  for  his  sake,  to  live 
with  him  evermore. 

"  And  this  is  that  thou  and  others  may  hear  from 
me,  and  know  that  I  remain  in  the  service  of  God, 
and  in  faithful  long-sufferings  for  the  gospel  of  his 
Son,  as  at  this  day,  being  the  6th  of  the  7ih  month, 
1662,  in  the  strait  prison  at  Winchester,  where' 
I  am  known  by  this  name, 

HUMPHREY  SMITH", 


tE 


r\ 


I! 


CtiAVrfR   XV. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  AUDLJND. 


John  AUDLAND  has  been  already  meb- 
tioiied  ill  ihe  life  of  John  Camm,  who  was  his 
intimate  friend  and  frequent  companion  in  gospel 
labour.  John  Audland  was  born  of  respectable 
parents,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  his  friend's  resi- 
dence, not  far  from  Kendal,  about  the  year  1630. 
Whilst  a  child  he  was  disposed  to  youthful  amuse- 
ments; bdt  when  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  he 
became  religiously  inclined.  He  read  the  Holy 
Scriptures  diligently,  associating  himself  with  the 
most  religious  people  he  could  find.  Havin^  a 
good  understanding  and  retentive  mcinory,  he  be- 
came, likeApollos,  "  mighty  in  die  Scriptures ;" 
could  discourse  largely  of  religion,  and  became  an 
emnient  teacher  in  a  society  which  was  separated 
from  the  national  way  of  worship.  But  though  a  dis- 
seater,  he  frequently  attended  the  public  places  of 


196 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    AIJDLAND. 


LIFE    OI    JOHN    AUDLAND. 


I 


worship,  where  he  often  preached  to  tlie  people, 
and  many  Hocked  to  hear  him. 

This  he  practised  before  he  joined  the  Society 
called  Quakers,  and  the  circumstance  is  a  confir^ 
mation  of  a  remark  in  the  preceding  volume,  that 
this  practice  was  not  unfrequent  in  thc^e  times, 
and  takes  off  much  of  the  objection  which  has 
been   made   to   our  Friends  preaching    in    those 
places,  even  after  the.  minister  ^''^  finished  his  ser- 
vice.    And  here  I  shall  once  for  all  remark,  that 
I  find  very  few  instances  of  our  Friends  interrupt- 
ing the  minister,  while  engaged  in  preaching,  a 
practice  which  I  think  requires   something  very 
extraordinary  to  justify  it.    Yet  I  remember  a  few 
years  ago  a  circumstance  of  this  kind  occurred,  in 
a  Popish  congregation  in  Ireland,  in  which  the 
conduct  of  the  zealous  opposer  appeared  to  be 
generally  admired ;  nor  do  I  recollect  any  cen- 
tre  being    passed   upon    it   by  -the    Protestant 
writers  who-noticed  it.    So- differently  do  we  fed. 
according  to  our  different  opinions  or  interests. 

But  to  return  from  this  digression,  John  Aik^ 
land  continued  to  minister  among  a  particular  class 
of  dissentei-s,  until  tlie  memorable  meeting  at 
Firbank  Chapel,  where  he  had  preached,  the 
day  George  Fox  came  there.  After  this  mett 
in<',  George  Fox  went  to  John  Audland's  house 


197 


and  by  the  instrumentality  of  the  public  ministry 
and  private  endeavours  of  that  eminent  and  suc- 
cessful gospel  labourer,  John  Audlaud  was  so  fully 
convinced  of  the  rectitude  of  the  doctrines  pleach- 
ed, that  he,   as  did  many  others,  laid  aside  their 
1/igh  profession,  and  joined  in  fellowship  with  a 
despised  but  simple-hearted  people,  among  whom 
they  found  that  rest  and  peace  which  their  souls  had 
long  sougiit  after.    He  was  now  brought  into  a  state 
of  deep  humiliation  and  self-abasemeiit.   «  A  great 
hunger  and  thirst,"  to  use  thewordsof  1  ho.Camm, 
"  the  Lord  having  raised  in  his  heart  and  soul, 
for  a  Saviour,  one  of '  a  thousand,  that  could- give 
a  ransom  for  his  soul,  and  redeem  him  from  the 
pit  of  corruption ;  for  he  saw  all  his  great  profes- 
sion,.all  his  wisdom  and  knowledge,  could  not  help 
him."     In  this  state  of  mind  he  continued  a  con- 
siderable time;   but  the  Lord  heard  his  humble 
prayers,  and  brought  his  soul  out  of  the  depths 
iuto  which  it  had  been  plunged,  enabling  him  to 
rejoice  with  the  joy  of  salvation,  and  qualifying 
him  for  speaking  a  word  in  due  season  to  the  af- 
flicted traveller  Zionward.     He  soon  became  a 
public  and  able  minister  "  the  Lord  anointing  him 
to  preach  and  publish  redemption  iii  ihe  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  deliverance  to  the  cap- 
tive exile,  in  which  work  he  was  found  faithful, 
being  filled  with  power  and  might  from  on  hioh, 
'oud  girded  with  the  strength  of  the  Aluiightv/' 


I 


5? 


I 


39S 


LIFE   OF   JOHN   AUDLAND. 


At  this  time  I  suppose  John  Audland  to  liave 
been  in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  age.  In  his 
twenty-first  year  he  had  married  Ann  Newby,  a 
virtuous  and  religious  young  woman  of  Kendal, 
who  proved  a  true  helpmeet  to  him  in  every  re- 
spect. He  now  gave  himself  up  to  the  service  of 
the  ministry,  and  great  success  ftttepded  his  gospel 
labours* 

About  the  year  1 654,  he  travelled  southward  with 
several  of  his  friends,  who,  dividing  themselves,  went 
into  different  parts,  and  met  afterward  in  London. 
John  Audland,  accompanied  by  Thomas  Airey, 
liad  been  at  Bristol  in  Iris  way  to  the  Metropolis, 
and  after  spending  some  time  in  London,  he  re- 
turned to  Bristol,  accompanied  by  his  particular 
friend,  John  Camm..    In.  his  first  visit  to  this  city, 
be  had  heW  several  meetings  wi^h  the  Indepen- 
dents an4  Baptists,  in.  their  own  meeting-houses ; 
but  he  and  his  present  companion  now  held  many, 
meetings  in  more,  public  places.     The  success  of 
their  labours  is  already  noticed  in  the  life  of  John. 
Camm.     John  Audland  being  in  the  vigour  of 
youthy  and  zealous  to  promote  the  good  cause 
which  he  had  espoused,  exerted  himself  very  much 
in  the  large  meetings  which  were  hield  in  the  open 
air,  in  Bristol^nd  its  neighbourhood.     By  this, 
together  with  the  bodily  sufferings  he  underwent 
from  the.  abuse,  of  the  rabble  and  th^  perseculion 


4 


Lin:    OF   JOHN    AUDLAND. 


199 


jf  the  magistrates,  it  appears  likely  that  a  founda- 
tion was  laid  for  that  pulmonary  disorder  which 
terminated  his  life  about  nine  years  after. 

Respecting  one  of  these  meetings  at  Bristol, 
AVilliam  Sewel  gives  this  account:  "  In  a  meet- 
ing which  he  once  had  in  a  field  without  Bris- 
tol,  after  John  Camm  had  left  off  speaking,  he 
stood  up  with  an  awful  and  shining  countenance, 
and  lifting  up  his  voice  as  a  trumpet,  he  said  :  *  I 
proclaim  a  spiritual  war  with  the  inhabitants  of 
the  earth,  who  are  in  the  fall  and  separation  from 
God,  and  I  prophesy  to  tlie  faiir  winds  of  heaven.' 
'J  hus  he  went  on  with  mighty  power,  exhorting 
to  repentance,  and  spoke  with  such  a  piercing 
authority,  that  some  of  the  auditoi|r  fell  on  the 
ground,  and  cried  out  under  the  sense  of  their 


transgressions. 


>» 


Charles  Marshall,  who  calls  John  Audland  "his 
father  in  Christ  Jesus,"  gives  a  similar  account  of 
this  meeting,  and  adds  :  "  Indeed  it  was  a  notable 
day,  worthy  to  be  left  on  record,  that  our  children 
may  read  and  tell  to  their  children,  and  theirs  to 
another  generation,  that  the  worthy  noble  acts  of 
the  arm  of  God's  salvation  may  be  remembered." 

After  his  return  from  this  journey,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  religious  visits  to  other  places.     In  the 

K  4 


200 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    AUDLANl). 


^ 


f 

i 


year  1656,  his  beloved  friend  and  fellow-labourer, 
John  Camm,  was  removed  from  him  by  death. 
Tliis  loss  was  closely  felt  by  John  Audland.  It 
%vas,  however,  in  some  measure  supplied  by  his 
friend's  son,  Thomas  Camm,  who  afterwards  be- 
came Audland's  frequent  companion  in  his  gospel 
labours,  which  he  continued  as  long  as  his  bodily 
health  permitted. 

When  his  health  began  materially  to  decline, 
does  not  clearly  appear.  In  the  year  l663,  he 
became  confined  by  indisposition,  during  which 
time  he  often  said  :  "  Ah !  those  great  meetings  in 
the  orchard  at  Bristol,  I  may  not  forget !  I  would 
so  gladly  have  spread  my  net  over  all,  and  have 
gathered  all,  jhat  I  forgot  myself;  never  consider- 
ing the  inability  of  my  body.  But  it's  well ;  my 
reward  is  with  me,  and  I  am  content  to  give  up 
and  be  with  the  Lord ;  for  that  my  soul  values 
above  all  things." 

In  the  course  of  his  illness  he  had  a  dream,  or 
vision,  respecting  two  of  his  friends  and  fellow- 
labourers  in  the  work  of  the  ministrv.  As  it  con- 
tains  some  instructive  matter,  I  shall  give  the 
substance  of  it  as  related  by  his  widow.  "  He  saw 
a  very  large  mine,  where  there  was  very  much 
precious  ore  to  be  digged  out,  but  with  great  and 
liaj'd  labour.  And  the  Lord  and  Master  had  called 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    AUDLAND. 


201  ^ 


him  with  many  more  to  labour  in  this  mine,  in  or-  * 
der  to  work  and  dig  out  this  good  and  precious 
ore;  and  he  who  was  most  diligent  in  labour,  was 
10  be  most  liberally  rewarded.  Now  the  com- 
mand was,  that  they  might  work  in  every  part  of 
the  mine,  but  must  all  gather  to  one  place  and  to 
one  heap ;  and  the  work  prospered  and  became 
exceedingly  great  to  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and 
their  joy  and  comfort  who  were  found  dili<^ent. 
In  process  of  time  he  looked  behind  him  upon 
others  that  were  labouring,  and  amongst  them  be- 
held two,  who  had  been  ancient  labourers,  to  be- 
gin to  slack,  and  would  but  work  where  it  was 
most  easy,  in  their  own  time,  and  by  their  own 
appointment ;  not  regarding  the  command  of  their 
Lord;  and  not  only  so,  but  when  they  found  a 
j}iece  of  ore  more  rich  and  goodly  than  some 
other,  whether  it  w  as  of  their  own  digging  or  not, 
ihey  did  gather  it  to  another  private  heap  of  their 
own  for  themselves,  to  their  own  benefit,  and  uot 
the  Lord's* 

^'  On  seeing  this,  he  cried  out  in  the  grief  and 
bitterness  of  his  exercise,  to  see  such  disobey  the 
Lord's  command,  <  Ah,  Lord  !  it  was  thy  commaHd 
tliat  we  should  all  work  at  thy  appointment,  and 
gather  to  one  heap;  and  for  a  time  it  was  so,  and 
thy  heap  increased  and  thy  work  prospered  ;  but 
now  there  are  two  that  have  begun  to  gather  to 
♦.heir  own  heap,  and  not  to  thee."     The  exerci?-^ 

K  5 


iOQ 


XjfE.  OF.  JOHN   AVDLAND. 


I 


I 


•f  mind  he  \\uw  ngw  under  awoke  him,  andhi*-. 
iwfe  finding  him.  much  affected,  he  informed  her^ 
the  cause,  and  told  her  he  believed  the  thing  would' 
come  to  pass,  which  it .  accordingly  did  in  the 
course  of  a  fe.w  years. 

His  hectic  fever  increasing  upon  him,  with, 
loss  of  sle^p  and  other  symptoms,  which  indicated 
his  approaching  dissolution,  he  was  often  visited 
by  his  friends  and  neighbours,  by  .whom  he  was 
much  beloved..  la  these  visits  his  mouth  was  fre- 
quently opened  in  religious .  conimunications,  to 
the  great  refreshment  of  his  friends ;  and  often, 
whilst  in  bed,  would  he  raise  himself  on  his  knees, 
and  fervently  pray  for  them,  and  that  the  Lord 
would  prosper  his  work,  in.tbis  apd  surjounding 

nations.. 

Ih  this  state  of  mind  he  continued  to  the  end, 
saying,  That  there  was  nothing  for  which  he  de- 
sired to  live,  except  the  comfortable  enjoyment  of 
his  friends,  in-jthe. fellowship  of  the  life  of  truth; 
and  that  he.  might  .be  a  comfort  1o  his  beloved . 
wife.  Her  situation  w^as  at  ibis  time  particularly 
trying,  treing  delivered  of  a  son  about  ten  days  af- 
ter her  husband's  decease.  But,  though  closely 
attached  to  e^h  other,  resignation  to  the  Divine 
will,  appears  in  a  remarkable  manner  to  have  been 
a^aiued  by  them  both.    To  God  he  often  recom" 


i 


LIFE    OF   JOHN    AUDLAND^ 


2oa 


mended  his  dear  wife  and  child,  encoaragiug  her? 
to  give  him  up  to  the  will  of  the  Almighty, 
"whose,"  said  he,  "  I  am,  being  mad&  acceptable 
in  his  beloved  Sou.' 


>».- 


Tims  did  tliis  faithful  labourer  in  the  Lord V 
vineyard,  terniinate  his  short  but  devoted  life,  on 
the  24th  of  tl>e  1st  month,  16^3.  He  was  in- 
terred the  day  following  at  Birkrigg  Park,  where 
the  remains  of  his  friend  John  Camm  had  been 
deposited  about  six  years  before. 

John  Audland  did  not  publish  much  from  the 
press.  His  printed  works,  except  two  or  three 
controversial  pieces,  consist  of  Epistles  to  his 
Friends,  for  \a  liom  he  possessed  nmch  love ;  and 
there  is  reason  to  believe-  he  was  no  less  beloved 
by  them.  He  appears  indeed  by  various  accounts 
•  to  have  been  of  a  very  amiable,  disposition  and  ^ 
comely  person.  He  was  also  a  man  of  good  na- 
tural abilities,  of  a  noble  spirit,. and  an  humble 
heart.  These  accompji^hments  being  united  with 
much  religious  knowledge  and,  experience,  ren- 
dered his  coiupauy  pleasing .  and  instructing.  In 
his  ministerial  communicatious  he  was  large  and 
affecting,  having  a  word  hi  season  to  all  conditions. 
While  he  possessed  great  respect  and  esteem  for 
those  who  were  in  Christ  before  him,  he  enter- 
tained much  tend^iiMess  to  such  as  were  young  in 


Sl 


■^. 


204 


tlFE   OF   JOHN    AUDLANDt 


the  ministry,  being  always  ready  to  encourage  and 
give  place  to  them.  In  short,  he  was  abundantly 
furnished  both  with  natural  and  spiritual  gifts, 
which  he  exercised  to  the  praise  aud  glory  of  Him 
who  gave  them. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 


LIFE  OF  WILLIAM  CJTON. 


*^omim^<s^^^ 


JT  is  not  easy  exactly  to  ascertain  either  the 
place  or  the  time  of  William  Caton's  birth,  but 
I  suppose  he  was  born  somewhere  in  Lanca- 
shire, and  about  Uie  year  1636.  His  parents  ap- 
pear to  have  been  careful  in  his  education,  both 
with  regard  to  religion  and  learning;  and  he  being 
a  child  seriously  disposed  and  of  good  abilities, 
their  care  respecting  him  was  not  in  vain.  When 
he  was  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  his  father  took 
him  to  Judge  Fell's,  at  Swarthmore  Hall,  to  be 
educated  with  his  son,  by  a  priest  who  was  related 
to  the  Catons.  Here  William  became  the  com- 
panion of  the  judge's  son,  both  in  his  studies  and 
amusements.  To  be  placed  in  so  respectable  and 
valuable  a  family,  produced  feelings  of  gratitude 
to  Divine  Providence  for  so  great  a  favour ;  and 


i. 


i 


206 


tl FE    CHf   WI LLhA M    C ATO N. 


bis  mind  being  freq^^^ntly  brought  under  religious^ 
considerations. and  impressions,  be  was  often  en-^ 
gaged  in  secret  supplications  ta  the  Divine  Being ; 
and  the  worldly  enjoyments  aad  pleasures  of  which 
he  partook^  beca^ie  as  matters  of  ioferior  im- 
|)ortanc&. 

* 

After  some  time-of  private  ittstructioB,  William 
Caton  went  with  the  son  of  Judge  Fell  to  a  school 
at  Hawkshead.  While  at  this  school  he  lyiet  with 
many  temptations,  apd  much,  unprofitable  com- 
pany. The  lads  did  not  continue  long  here,  but 
^i»oon  returned  to  Swarthmore.  In  both  these 
situations  Caton  was  often  humbled  under  a  sense 
of  Divine  love  and  mercy 'to  his  soul ;  though  at 
times  under  close  conviction  for  sin  and  disobedi- 
ence. He  was  now  about  fifteen  years  of  age; 
and  it  being  much  the  practice  in  the  judge's  fa- 
mily to  repeat  the  sermons  which  they  had  heard, 
and  to  paraphrase  upon  them,  he  endeavoured  to 
accomplish  himself  this  way,  but  without  the  satis- 
faction which  his^oul  desired. . 


While  matters  stood  thus,  George  Fox  paid  his 
first  visit  to  Judge.  FelFs,  Tliis  was  in  the  year 
16J2.  William  ^Caton  was  at  first  disgusted  with 
George  Fox's  non-con>pliance  with  customs  and 
salutations,  ta  which  he  had  been  used.  There 
was,  liowe.ver,  a  secret  something  which  attracted 


MPE   OF   WlLUArM   CAT^N. 


SI07 


%s  mind  to  this  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  to  the 
testimony  which  he  bore  to  the  Light  of  Christ  in 
the  heart.  He  therefore,  was,  with  the  rest  of  the 
family,  excejxt  the  judge,  wh«L  was  not  at  homci^^ 
so  effectually  reached  by  the  rai»istry  of  George 
Vflx,  as  to  be  convince(^^Qf  the  truth  of  the  doc- 
trine \vhiQh  he.  taught. 


The  w'itness  f©r  GDd  in  his  conscience  being 
thus  awakened,  he  became  humbled  under  a  sense 
of  his  sins ;  but  the  evil  nature  was  not  yet  fully 
subjected,  apd  h^  imderwent  many  close  conflicts . 
bjefore  \}e  experienced  his  mind  settled  in  peace. 
JJuring  tins  time  of  exercise,  his  friend  Margaret 
Fell,  thf  judge's  wife,  took  notice  of  him,  and  em- 
ployed him  at  home  to  teach  her  younger  children, 
which  preserved  him  fiora  many  unpleasant  cir- 
cumstances that  he  might  have  met  with  at  school. 
She  also  made  him  her  anumuensis,  fnd  took  him 
with  her  into  the  com pai^y  of  her  friends,  by  which 
be  was  much  edified,  and  \m  mind  increasingly 
drawn  into  love  and  unity  with  those,  to  whom 
she  ba4.tbeu  attached  herself. 

He  was  -DOW  seventeen  years  of  Age,  and  having 
uiidergone  those  dispensations,  which  may  be  com- 
pared to  the  fire,  the  sword,  ?md  the  hammer,  he 
was  afterwards  introduced  into  a  state  <>f  spiritual 
€oj«>yme»t,  voder  v^hich  %e  ^ould  aiy  :  ^'  Ob  tfte 


i 


\, 


■■ 


208 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    CATON. 


preciousness  and  excellency  of  that  day !  Oh !  the 
glory  and  the  blessedness  of  that  day!  How  should 
I  demonstrate  it ;  or  by  what  means  should  I  ex- 
plain it,  that  generations  to  come  might  under- 
stand it,  and  give  praise  to  the  Lord  Jehovah !" 


i 


I 


William  Caton,  who  wrote  an  account  of  his 
own  life,  enlarges  much  on  the  benefits  and  en- 
joyments of  which  he  partook  whilst  in  this  excel- 
lent family  at  Swarthmore,  which  was  then  and 
for  many  years  afterwards  much  distinguished  for  its 
hospitality  and  for  its  general  reception  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  new  society.  Caton  says  that  Friends 
from  five  or  six  counties  would  frequently  be  there 
at  the  same  time ;  and  George  Fox  frequently  re- 
sorting there  during  the  years  1652  and  l6o3, 
Caton  had  many  opportunities  of  partaking  of  his 
instructive  society;  from  which  he  received  much 
religious  benefit ;  George  Fox  treating  him  with 
much  fatherly  attention  and  kindness ;  Margaret  Fell, 
as  already  noticed,  was  also  very  attentive  to  him, 
and  acted  the  part  of  a  mother  in  every  respect. 


I  • 


t 

V; 


These  great  advantages  w  ere  not  lost  upon  this 
young  man's  improveable  mind.  He  grew  in  that 
grace  and  saving  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  which  it  was  the  peculiar  care  of  the 
ministers  of  this  society  to  turn  the  attention  of 
those  among  whom  they  ministered.    He  not  only 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    CATON. 


209 


experienced  the  work  of  his  own  soul's  salvation 
to  go  forward  ;  but  feeling  the  love  of  God  shed 
abroad  in  his  heart,  and  a  zeal  for  the  cause  of 
truth  and  righteousness,  he  became  constrained 
under  these  feelings  some  times  to  attend  the  public 
places  of  worship,  and  "  to  declare,"  as  he  him- 
self expresses  it,  "  against  the  deceit  of  the  priests 
and  the  sins  of  the  people ;  and  to  warn  all  to  re- 
pent. He  now  subjected  himself  to  much  bodily 
suffering ;  but  this  was  little  to  him  in  comparison 
of  the  inward  enjoyments  of  which  he  partook ; 
so  that  his  experience  was  like  that  which  the  holy 
apostle  mentions :  "  As  our  sufferings  abound  in 
Christ,  so  also  doth  our  consolation  abound  by 
Christ." 


William  Caton  continued  at  Swarthmore  till 
tlie  11th  month,  1654,  when,  though  only  in  the 
nineteenth  year  of  his  age,  he  became  concerned 
to  visit  his  friends  in  some  of  the  southern  parts 
of  the  nation.  His  separation  from  the  family 
where  he  had  so  long  and  so  comfortably  resided, 
was  a  close  trial  to  their  mutual  friendship ;  but 
the  consideration  of  the  good  cause  in  which  he 
was  about  to  engage,  reconciled  their  minds  to  the 
trying  separation ;  and  they  parted  from  each  other 
in  the  aense  of  much  love  and  unity. 

Leaving  Swarthmore,  he  passed  through  Lanca- 
shire, Yorkshire,  and  Derbyshire  to  13adgley  or 


!► 
»< 


210 


LIFE   OF   WltLIAM    CATON. 


!tC' 


Badesley,  in  the  county  of  Warwick.     Here  ha 
met  with  a  considerable  number  of  his  brethren, , 
from   whom    he   received   much  encouragement. 
He  proceeded  thence  to  Wellingborough  in  North- 
amptonshire, where  lie  found  many  who  had  been, 
convinced  of  the  same  docrines  which  he  had  em-  - 
braced,  and  they  were  much  refreshed  together* 


I 


While  at  Wellingbarough  he  w<is  imprisoned  a. 
single  nighty  and  the  next  day  released.  He  next, 
travelled  to  Cambridge,  where  he  had  a  good  op- 
portunity to  visit  liis  fiiends ;  after  which  he  pro- 
ceeded, to  Norwich.  It  was  now  the  depth  of 
vinter>  and  he  and  his  companion  travelling  oa.. 
foot,  they  had  many  difficulties  to  encounter  in 
their  journey.  At  Norwich  they  found  several 
north  country  Friends  in  prison,  whom,  he  says^^ 

<*  we  visited,  and  with  whom  we  wcjr^  sweetly, 
refreshed." 

After  some  public  service  in  this  city,  he  pro- 
c>eeded  towards  London,  where  he  was  cordially 
received  by  his  friends^  aod  in  a  little*  time  several 
other  Friends  from  the  north  came  there.  At  one  time 
there  were  ten  or  twelve  ministers  in  the  city,  "most 
of  us,"  to  use  his  own  words,  "  came  out  of  the 
North,  even  })Iain,  honest,  upright  men,  such  as  the 
Lord  was  pleased  to  make  use  of  in  that  day ;  and 
ver^'  diligent  vve  were  in  his  wor^_  night  aiid.da^i^ 


LIFE   OF   WILLIAM   CATON. 


Sll 


labouring  faithfully,  as  much  as  in  us  lay,  to  exalt 
his  name  over  all,  and  make  his  truth  and  salvor 
tion  known  even  unto  all." 

During  his  stay  in  London  he  met  with  Joha 
Stubbs,  with  whom,  after  finishing  his  service  iu 
the  city,  he  travelled  into  Kent.     In  this. county 
they  had  much  religious  service ;  and  Luke  Howard^ 
of  Dover,  and  Samuel  Fisher,  of  Lydd,-  were 
among  the  fruits  of  their  gospel  labours ;  these  two . 
useful  members  of  the  society  being  convinced  by 
the  means  of  their  ministry.     Between  Dover  and. 
Lydd  they  visited  Folkstone,  Hide,  and  Romney». 
in  all  which  places  they  ipet  with  considerable  suc- 
cess, thous[h  sometimes  it  was  attended  with  much 
bodily  suffering.     From  Lydd  they  went  to  Ash- 
ford,  Tenterden,  Cr?in brook,  and  Staplehurst.    At 
the  two  last  places  they  n^t  wi^  a.  people  who . 
were  ready  to  .receive  their  testimot^y..; .  and,  to  use 
Caton's  own  words,  *'  several  large,  and  precious 
^meetings  we  had.ampng  them;  aad  the  power  and 
presence  of  the  Lord  was  much  with  us,  in  which 
we  rejoiced  together,  freely,  distributing  the  Word 
of  Life  unto  them,  which  at  itat  time  dwelt  richly, 
and  plenteouslyv  in  our  hearts."    At  these  places 
the  people  pressed  them  to  take  some  money,  which 
they  found  some  difficulty  ip  refusing  to  accept. 

These  appear  to  have  been  the  first  Friends  who 
visited,  Kent,  aiwi   estaibli§hed  meetmgs   in   th^t 


^'1 


212 


LIFE    OF    WILLIAM    CATON. 


county.  On  their  return  towards  London,  they 
came  to  Maidstone,  where  they  underwent  some 
cruel  persecution.  They  were  here  on  the  i\\»t. 
day  of  the  week ;  and  John  Stubbs  went  to  the 
public  place  of  worship,  and  William  Caton  to  the 
meeting  of  the  Independents.  John  was  sent  that 
day  to  the  house  of  correction,  and  William  the., 
day  following.  After  being  plundered  of  the  con- 
tents of  their  pockets,  they  were  stripped,  and 
their  necks  and  arms  put  into  the  stocks.  When 
released  from  this  situation,  they  were  put  inirons. 
or  great  logs  of  wood,  and  then  required  to  work. 
'J'his  they  refused,  having  broken  no  law,  and  they 
were  kept  several  days  with  the  allowance  of  only 
a  little  water.  ~  Some  women,  and  even  the  male- 
factors, would  have  given  them  some  provisions, 
but  they  declined  accepting  their  kindness.  After 
a  few  days,  the  report  of  this  cruel  treatment 
i$pread  into  the  town,  and  the  magistrates  became 
60  ashamed,  that  they  restored  some  of  the  pro- 
perty taken  from  them,  and  conveyed  them  out  of 
the  town  in  different  directions,  neither  of  them 
knowing  where  the  other  was  gone,  lliey,  how- 
ever, soon  met  in  London,  and  found  their  minds 
engaged  to  return  to  the  place  where  they  had 
been  so  cruelly  treated.  Iliis  was  no  small  trial 
of  their  failh  and  obedience;  but  being  resigned 
to  the  service,  they  went  again  into  Kent,  and  to 
Maidstone,  where  however  ihcy  met  with  no  ma- 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    CATON. 


21S 


ierial  opposition ;  but  afterwards  passed  by  Can- 
terbury and  Sandwich  to  Dover. 


While  William  Caton  was  at  Dover,  be  found 
his  mind  engaged  to  pass  over  to  Calais.  Ibis 
was  in  the  4th  month,  1655.  On  bis  arrival  at 
tliis  town,  he  found  its  inhabitants  greatly  sunk  in 
superstition  and  idolatry.  This  was  very  distressing 
to  his  feeling  mind;  and  not  being  able  to  speak 
French,  he  could  not  easily  relieve  himself  of  the 
burden  which  he  was  under;  but  after  being  there  a 
little  time,  during  which  he  generally  resided  in  a 
ship,  some  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants,  hear- 
ing of  him,  sent  to  the  vessel,  and  had  him  conveyed 
to  a  house,  where  many  of  the  principal  people 
were  gathered  together,  and  a  Scotch  nobleman 
being  in  company,  he  acted  as  interpreter.  "  I 
had,"  says  William  Caton,  "  a  very  gallant  oppor- 
tunity to  declare  the  truth  among  them  ;  and  pre- 
cious dominion  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  give  me 
over  their  vain,  light,  frothy  minds  and  spirits." 

Soon  after  this  opportunity,  he  felt  himself  at 
liberty  to  return  to  Dover,  where  he  found  his 
companion  John  Stubbs,  who  inclining  to  go  to 
Holland,  William  Caton  was  diposed  to  accom- 
pany him.  They  went  by  Gravesend  and  Col- 
chester to  Yarmouth.  Here  they  waited  about 
three  weeks  for  a  passage,  and  when  they  were 


{■■■ 
1\ 


214 


LIFE    OF  "WILLIAM    CAtON. 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    CATOJJ. 


215 


^- 


;1 

i 


«  1, 


taken  into  the  vessel  in  which  they  expected  to  be 
conveyed,  the  master  finding  uho  «iid  wh^t  they 
were,  sent  them  again  to  land.  Alter  this  disap- 
pointment they  went  to  Sunderland,  from  which 
place  William  Calon  went  to  visit  his  friends  at 
Swurthmore,  by  whose  society  h«  was,  as  usual, 
much  refreshed. 

After  he  had  spent  sonve  time  at  tliis  hospitable 
mansion,  he  went  to  Shields,  whence  he  and  John 
Sttibbs  sailed  in  a  vessel  for  flushing  ni  Zealand ; 
Nvhere  and  at  Middleburgh  they  had  some  religious 
service,  attended  also  with  som«  bodily  suffering. 
They  did  not  slay  long  here,  but  took  shipping  for 
Rotterdam,  where  tlieir  service  was  much  limited 
by  not  being  able  to  speak  the  language  of  the 
country,   and   not   having    a   faithful  interpreter. 
'Jliey  were  the  tVrst  Friends  who  visited  this  city 
and  country  ;    but  after  they   had  relieved   ihd? 
minds  here,  they  again  took  shipping  for  Zealand, 
and  thence  for  Kngland.    After  a  stormy  passage, 
they  landed  at  Hnrtlepool,  whence  William  Caton 
Avent  through  the  county  of  Durham,   &c.   to  his 
home  at  Swarthmore. 

He  did  not  continue  long  out  of  service,  but 
soon  left  Swarthmore  to  visit  some  parts  of  Scot- 
land, his  friend  John  Stubbs  again  joinmg  him. 
It  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  lOth  month,  now 


the  l*2th,  that  they  entered  this  country  by  Berwick, 
where  William  Caton  was  put  out  of  the  town;  but 
afterwards  returired.  After  some  religious  service 
here,  they  proceeded  to  Edinburgh,  where  they 
separated  in  much  love.  -William  Caton  continued 
in  Edinburgh  several  weeks,  having  good  service 
there,  accompanied  by  a  Friend  of  the  name  of  John 
Slee,  who  joined  him  after  the  departure  of  his 
former  companion.  From  Edinburgh  he  travelled 
to  Stirling,  Glasgow,  and  I>ouglas,  in  which  places 
he  had  opportunities  of  exercising  his  ministerial 
gift  with  some  success,  and  with  relief  tohis  own 
mind.  From  Douglas  he  travelled  towards  Kng- 
"land,  and  again  reached  Swarthmore  before  the 
expiration  of  the  year  1655,  according  to  the  Old 
Style. 

This  was  certainly  a  year  very  closely  occupied 
by  William  Caton.  His  first  departure  from 
Swarthmore  was,  as  is  already  noticed,  in  the  1 1th 
month,  1654-5;  and  we  now  see  how  much  he 
had  travelled  and  laboured  in  the  work  of  the  gos- 
pel, before  the  commencement  of  the  year  1656, 
and  all  this  before  he  was  twenty  years  of  age. 
Mv  readers' reflections  will,  I  apprehend,  super- 
sede the  necessity  of  any  remarks  from  me  on  so 
extraordinary  a  circumstance. 

About  the  middle  of  the  1st  month,  1655-6,  he 
left  Swarthmore  again  on  a  religious  visit  into 


2!6 


IIFE    OF   WILLIAM    CATOX. 


LIFE   OF   WILLIAM   CATON. 


217 


Lancashire,  Cheshire,  and  Staffordshire,  in  which 
counties  he  and  his  companion,  William  Simpson, 
had  good  service ;  though  not  without  some  bodily 
sufferings.  At  Congerton  they  were  imprisoned  a 
few  days,  and  then  released.  William  Caton, 
about  this  time,  attended  a  large  general  meeting 
in  Leicestershire,  where  he  met  with  his  much- 
valued  friend  George  Fox,  whose  company  as  well 
as  the  meetings,  tended  greatly  to  his  comfort  and 
satisfaction. 

In  the  3d  month,  l65G,  he  agaiii  left  Swarth- 
more  for  Scotland  ;  and  on  his  return  from  that 
country,  he  travelled  into  the  south-west  parts  of 
England,  accompanied  by  Walter  Clements.  At 
Bristol  they  were  more  than  a  little  refreshed  with 
Friends,  and  with  seeing  how  the  truth  prospered 
among  them."  Proceeding  into  Cornwall,  he  vi- 
sited George  Fox  and  some  other  Friends,  who 
were  prisoners  in  Launceston  jail,  "  where,"  says 
Caton,  "  my  refreshment  was  so  much,  that  my 
cup  was  made  to  overflow.'* 

His  companion,  it  seems,  had  parted  from  him 
at  Bristol,  to  which  city  he  now  returned  through 
Devonshire.  At  Totness  he  was  apprehended, 
and  sent  by  a  pass  from  one  place  to  another. 
Being  known  to  be  a  Quaker,  and  not  a  pauper, 
people  were  attracted  by  the  circumstance  to  the 


places  M'here  he  was,  which  afforded  him  many 
opportunities  of  preaching,  and  spreading  among 
the  people  the  doctrines  which  he  taught. 

Coming  to  Bristol,  he  found  Francis  Howgil!, 
John  AudJand,  and  several  other  of  his  brethreo. 
there  from  distant  parts,  by  whose  society  he  was 
much  comforted.  He  now  travailed  towards 
Kent,  where  he  visited  those  in  particular,  among 
whom  he  had  successfully  laboured,  wlien  in  that 
county  before.  Here  I  shall  transcribe  from  his 
own  account,  the  state  of  his  mind  at  this  time : 
'*  Many  precious  and  large  meetings  I  had  in  the 
county;  and  the  Lord  was  very  much  whh  me, 
who  furnished  me  plentifully  with  his  word  and 
power,  insoraucli  that  I  stood  admiring  at  sundry 
times  from  whence  I  had  that  fulness.  And  it 
was  not  by  me  only,  but  by  many  more,  who 
looking  with  the  eye  of  reason  on  my  earthly 
tabernacle,  could  not  expect  any  great  thing  from 
me,  being  then  but  about  twenty  years  of  age.  Yet 
plenty  of  heavenly  things  the  Lord  was  pleased  ta 
open  in  me  and  through  me,  to  the  end  that  I 
might  communicate  the  same  to  the  multitude; 
which  sometimes  being  very  great,  I  was  ready  to 
say  within  myself,  where  shall  I  have  wherewithal 
to  satisfy  all  these  ?  When  I  looked  at  my  owa 
weakness  and  insufficiency  as  of  myself,  I  was 
ready  to  faint ;  but  when  I  looked  only  at  the 


ei8 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM   CATO^". 


Lord,  and  put  my  confidence  entirely  in  Him,  I  was 
strong  and  courageous.  For  the  Lord  showed  me 
by  his  eternal  light,  on  a  time  when  I  was  be- 
moaning my  own  weakness,  and  groaning  under  a 
sen«e  <r{  the  weight  of  the  burden  of  the  service 
and  work  of  the  Lord,  saying  or  thinking  within 
myself,  Oh!  such  and  such  are  so  and  so  fitted,  and 
furnished,  that  they  need  not  care  what  service 
they  are  called  unto,  but  as  for  me,  I  am  so  sim- 
|)le,  I  am  so  weak,  and  I  never  have  any  thin<r 
before  hand,  neither  da  scarce  ever  know  when  I 
go  into  a  meeting  of  several  hundreds,  What  I 
-shall say,  or  whether  any  thing  or  nothing;  yea, 
when  I  was  full  of  these  and  such  like  reasonings, 
the  Lord  showed  me,  how  they  that  had  nmth 
had  nothing  over,  and  they  that  had  little  had  no 
Jack,  even  as  it  was  with  the  Israelites  of  old.'* 

Entering  meetings  in  this  humble,  dependent 
5tate  of  mind,  he  further  observes :  *'  The  Lord 
hath  been  pleased  to  give  me  his  word  so  plentifully, 
that  through  Him  J  was  enabled  to  speak  two, 
three,  yea  sometimes  four  hour«  in  a  meetino-^ 
with  little  or  no  intermission ;  and  often  it  hath 
been  with  me,  that  as  I  knew  not  before  the  meet^r 
ing  What  I  should  speak  in  &ie  meeting,  neither 
could  I  well  remember  after  the  meeting  what  I 
had  spoken  in  it.  Now  these  things  I  rehearse 
not  for  my  own  praise,  but  do  «ay.  Not  unto 
me,  not  unto  me,  that  have  nothing  but  what  I 


LIFE    OF    WILLIAM    CATON. 


219 


fcavc  received,  be  the  praise,  but  unto  the  Lord  alone 
who  is  the  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift.*'' 

William  Caton  continued  visiting  his  friends  in 
England,  Scotland,  and  Holland,  till  the  year 
1062,  when  he  was  married  at  Amsterdam 
to  Anneken  Dirricks.  His  marriage,  however, 
did  not  much  interrupt  his  religious  service, 
«for  in  less  than  three  months  after  its  accom- 
plishment, he  was  engaged  to  go  to  England 
on  a  religious  visit;  and  a  few  months  after  his 
return  to  Holland,  he  went  again  into  England, 
taking  his  wife  with  -hira.  When  they  had  been 
sometime  together  in^  this  country,  she  returned 
to  Holland,  and  he  travelled  northward,  attendJT 
ing  meetings  in. his  way  from  London  to  Swarth- 
more ;  where,  after  visiting  Friends  in  the  neigh- 
bouring counties,  he  returned,  and  paid  his  last 
visit..  George  Fox  being  there,  his  company 
added'to  the  pleasure  and  profit,  which  that  seat 
of  christian  beneficence  had  always  afiforded  him. 
He  took  his  leave  of  them  "  in  the  fulnes  of  enl 
deared  love,  and  much  brokenness  of  heart ;"  and 
travelled  through  the  county  of  Durham  to  Sun- 
derland, where  not  meeting  with  a  vessel  ready  to 
sail  for.HoIland,  and  inclining  to  visit  Friends  in 
some  other  places,  he  went  by  Shotten,  Stockton, 
and  Whitby,  to  Scarbrough,  where,  after  visitii^ 
Friends,  he  took  shipping  for  Holland.  The  voyage 


i 


<\ 


220 


LIFE    OF   WILLIAM    CATON. 


proved  very  tempestuous,  and  the  ship  leaky.  At 
length  they  put  into  Yarmouth  Roads,  and  while 
detained  there,  William  Caion  went  on  shore  to 
visit  his  friends.  Being  there  on  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  he  attended  a  meeting,  where  he,  with 
several  others  under  similar  circumstaiKes,  were 
apprehended  and  sent  to  prison,  in  which  they  were 
confined  six  months,  because  they  would  not  Uke 
an  oath.  They  were  committed  on  the  4th  of  8th 
month,  1663,  and  liberated  on  the  £2d  of  2d  month, 
1664. 

Here  ends  William  Caton's own  account  of  him- 
self;  and  I  find  nothing  further  of  consequence 
recorded  of  him  till  his  death  in  the  10th  month 
of  the  following  year,  1665.     He  was  the  author 
of  several  publications,  among  which  is  an  Abridg- 
ment of  the  Ecclesiastical  History  of  £usebiu!» 
Pamphilius.    William  Sewel,  who  was  personally 
acquainted  with  Caton,  says  of  him :  "  He  was  a 
man  not  only  of  literature  and  zealous  for  religion, 
but  of  a  courteous  and  affable  temper  and  con- 
versation, by  which  he  was  in  good  esteem  among 
those  he  was  acquainted  with."     He  appears  in- 
deed to  have  been  a  man  of  great  worth ;  and  hia 
removal  would,  no  doubt,  be  much  felt  by  hi* 
friends.     But  there  is  great  reason  to  believe  that 
he  was  one  of  those  who  could  say,   with  a  holy 
apostle,  "  To  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  ia 


^ 


am. 


II 


f* 


CHAPTER   XVIX. 


LIFE  OF  SAMUEL  FISHED. 


In  the  preceding  Memoir,  the  conversion  ot 
Samuel  Fisher  to  the  principles  of  the  Quakers,  is 
noticed  as  the  eflfect  of  the  ministry  of  William 
Caton  and  John  Stubbs.  The  time  and  place  of 
his  birth  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain.  He 
was  educated  at  one  of  the  universities,  and  entering 
into  holy  orders,  as  they  are  called,  he  first  became 
chaplain  to  some  person  of  quality,  ^d  afterwards 
was  made  priest  of  Lydd  in  Kent,  a  living  at  that 
time  worth  about  two  hundred  pounds  per  annum.. 
While  in  this  situation,  he  was  requested  by 
the  master  of  Luke  Howard,  an  apprentice  to  a 
shoemaker  at  Dover,  to  converse  with  the  young 
man  respecting  a  scruple  which  he  entertained 
about  the  singing  of  David's  Psalms  in  places  pt 
public  worship.  Howard  explained  the  reasons  ot 
his  uneasiness  with  that  practice  in  such  a  manner, 
that  Fisher,  rather  than  Howard,  was  altered  ia 
opinion  on  the  subject.. 

The  arguments  used'on  this  occasion  were  these^ 
that  God  is  a  Spirit,  and  must  T)e  worshipped  in 
spirit  and  in  truth  j  but  that  it  was  contrary ^to 

L  3 


S2C 


LIFE   OF   SAMUEL   FISHER. 


truth  for  a  proud  man  to  sing,  he  was  not  puffed 
up  in  mind,  that  he  had  no  scornful  eye,  and  did 
not  exercise  himself  in  things  too  high  for  him. 
Further,  to  sing,  rivers  of  tears  run  down  my  eyes, 
because  other  men  keep  not  thy  law,  when  those 
-who  thus  sing,  never  knew  true  repentance  for 
their  own  sins,  was  such  a  violation  of  commou 
morality,  as  true  religion  could  not  sanction. 

By  this  conversation,  FLsher,  who  had  already 
entertained  some  dissatisfaction  with  various  mat- 
ters  connected  with  his  present  employment,  grew 
more  uneasy  with  it.  Preaching  for  hire,  and  the 
baptism  of  infants,  became  a  burden  to  his  tender, 
feeling  mind  ;  and  so  great  was  his  dedication  to 
that  which  appeared  to  be  his  religious  duty,  that 
he  voluntarily  resigned  his  lucrative  situation,  took 
a  farm  for  the  support  of  his  family,  and  joined 
himself  in  society  with  the  Baptists,  by  whom  he 
Mas  highly  esteemed;  and  he  became  a  minister 
among  them. 

When  Caton  and  Stubbs  went  into  those  parts, 
Fisher  hospitably  entertained  them  in  his  house ; 
and  their  gospel  labours  made  some  impression 
on  his  mind,  though  he  did  not  then  acknowledge 
it.  After  leaving  Lydd,  and  visiting  some  places 
thereabout,  they  returned  thither  again,  when  they 
found  their  former  labeurs  had  been  blessed,  and 
niany  persons  were  now  ready  to  join  them.  George 
Hammond,  however,  a  Baptist  preacher,  publicly 


LIFE   OF   SAMUEL  FISHER. 


QQl 


preached  against  them ;  which  gave  Samuel  Fisher 
so  much  uneasiness,  that  he  stood  up  in  the  same 
meeting,  and  said  to  Hammond:  "  Dear  Brother, 
you  are  very  near  and  dear  to  me,  but  the  truth  is 
nearer  and  dearer.  This  is  the  everlasting  truth 
and  gospel."  This  was  very  trying  to  Hammond; 
and,  with  a  mixture  of  anger  and  sorrow,  he  ex- 
claimed: "Our  brother  Fisher  is  also  bewitched." 
Fisher  made  no  reply,  but  attaching  himself  still 
more  closely  to  Caton  and  Stubbs,  he  joined  the 
religious  society  to  which  ihey  belonged.  This 
was  in  the  year  1655. 

In  the  following  year  Cromwell  convened  the 
parliament,  .which  met  on  the  17th  of  the  7th 
month,  in  the  Painted  Chamber,  Whitehall.  Fisher 
had  been  under  a  great  exercise  for  several  days, 
from  an  apprehension  of  duty  to  go  there  at  that 
time,  and  to  deliver  what  he  considered  a  message 
from  the  Lord  to  the  Protector  aiwl  Parliament. 
After  much  secret  conflict  of  spirit,  he  resigned 
himself  to  this  duty,  and  went  to  the  Painted 
Chamber  at  the  time  appointed,  llie  Protector 
made  a  long  speech,  in  the  course  of  which  he 
said,  he  knew  not  of  one  man  that  suffered  im- 
prisonment unjustly  in  England.  As  soon  as 
Cromwell  had  finished  his  speech,  Fisher  attempted 
to  deliver  what  was  upon  his  mind ;  but  he  had 
proceeded  a  very  little  in  his  intended  speech,  be- 
fore he  was  interrupted  with  tfie  cry  of,  "  A 


^;f 


Q24, 


ETFE    OP   S  A  Mr  EL   FISHER. 


LIFE    OF    SAMUEL   FISHER. 


S25 


<  ■.( 


Quaker,  a  Quaker;  keep  him  down,  he  shall  not 
speak."  He  however  proceeded  as  long  a^  he 
poss/bly  could,  and  believed  the  Protector  and 
Parliament  men  would  have  heard  him,  had  not 
others  violently  opposed  and  prevented  his  speaking. 

Being  thus  prevented  from  verbally  communi- 
catin*^  that  which  was  upon  his  mind,  he  committeti 
it  to  writing  and  published  it.  The  following 
quotation  will  show  the  very  low  opinion  he  en- 
tertained of  the  then  ruling  party  in  the  nation, 
and  the  plainness  of  speech  with  which  he  deli- 
vered his  message,  or  rather  the  message  of  the 
Lord,  to  them* 

After  some  introductory  words,  he  expresses' 
himself  thus :  **  Ye  are  a  seed  of  evil  doers,  saitrh 
the  Lord;  an  hypocritical  generation,  a  people 
whose  heart  is  not  right,  and  whose  spirit  is  not 
steadfast  with  the  Lord.     Ye  hav«  made  many 
shows  of  seuking  my  face,  but  ye  have  not  found 
It,  because  ye  have  not  sought  it  in»sincerity.    Ye 
have  talked  much  of  turning  unto  rae,  but  ye  have 
never  done  it  yet  with  all  your  hearts;  but  feign- 
cdly,  sailh.  the  Lord.     Ye  have  seemed  much  to 
inquire  after  me  in  yoar  long  prayers,  as  if  ye  did 
delight  to  know  my  ways;  but  my  ways,  which  are 
ways  of  purity,  peace,  and  pleasantness,  though 
grievous  to  the  wicked,  ye  yet  know  not,  so  well 
ns ye  might  do,  did  ye  stand  in  my  counsel;  and 
so  faL  forth  as  ye  do  know  of  them,  ye  have  no 


delight  to  walk  in  them,  so  strait  and  rugged  are 
they  to  that  nature  which  ye  yet  remain  in.  Ye 
call  out  to  me  after  light,  as  if  ye  were  very  de- 
sirous to  be  enlightened ;  but  ye  are  haters  of 
xny  light  and  my  life,  saith  the  Lord,  even  the  light 
in  the  conscience  which  I  have  placed  in  every 
one  of  yx)u.  This  ye  come  not  closely  to,  lest 
ye  should  be  reproved  by  it,  but  love  darkness 
xnore  than  it;  because  your  deeds  are  evil. 

**  Ye  have  fbsted  often  and  hung  down  your 
heads  like  a  bulrush  for  a  day;  but  ye  have  never 
yet  fasted  unto  me,  saith  the  Lord.  You  find 
your  own  pleasure  still ;  the  bands  of  wickedness 
^are  not  loosed;  you  are  captivated  still  in  the  cords 
of  your  own  sins;  neither  have  you,  in  the  midst 
of  all  your  abstinence,  abstained  yet  from  the 
fleshly  lusts  which  war  against  your  souls;  but  are 
as  proud  as  ever,  as  pompous  and  vain  as  ever,  as 
luxurious  and  wanton ;  as  covetous,  and  earthly- 
minded;  as  self-seeking;  as  time-serving;  as  men- 
pleasing  ;  as  oppressing  and  unrighteous  as  before. 
Ye  have  often  fasted  for,  but  never  fully  from, 
your  iniquities  to  this  day,  saith  the  Lord.  Ye 
would  be  counted  professors,  yea  promoters  of 
religion,  but  are  iudeed  persecutors  of  the  very  life 
and  power,  and  of  that  people  that  do  believe  in 
the  life  and  power  of  that  same  religion,  which  iu 
form  and  words  ye  have  long  professed." 


i 


226 


LIFE   OF    SAMUEL   FISITEIl. 


After  a  long  remonstrance  of  this  kind^  and  lay* 
ing  before  Oliver  and  his  Parliament  the  great 
inconsistency  of  their  conduct,  with  the  spirit  of 
Christianity ;   and   predicting   their   disgrace   and 
downfall,  he  concludes  thus  :  "  What  shall  one 
then  answer  the  mafcsengers  of  the  nations  f  Even^ 
this,  that  the  Lor^  hath  founded  Zion,  and  the 
poor  of  his  people  have  betaken  themselves  unto 
it.      But   aU    luxurious,   wanton,   and   covetous 
worldlings,  all  formal  professors  and  dissembling 
hypocrites,  painted  sepulchres  and  v^hited  walls, 
base  backsliders,  and  filthy  liars,  hireling  priests 
and  fawning  prophets,  and  all  proud  oppressors 
and  wicked  opposers,  and  persecutors  of  Christ  in 
his  people,  can  have  no  share  in  it ;  but  are  shut 
out  into  the  lake,   and  gone>  down  for,  ever  witli 
the  uncirciuncised  into  the  pit,  which  hath  shut 
her  mouth  upon  them  there,  world  without  end, 
to  be  confounded.*' 

Thus  plainly  did  our  early  Friends  deal  wilTi 
that  "  hypocritical  generation,"  who  under  pre- 
tensions of  promoting  liberty,  both  civil  and  reli- 
gious, had  proved  more  cruel  persecutors  than 
those  who  had  gone  before  them,  and  many  of 
th«m  became  so  darkened  in  their  understandings, 
«!S  even  to  plead  for  persecution  and  to  pray 
against  the  spreading  of  a  spirit  of  toleration.  No. 
wonder  then  that  the  indignation  both  of  God  and  of 
^ood  men  was  kindled  against  such  a  people  aS  this^ 


LTFE    OT    SAMUEL   FISHER. 


227 


The  24th  of  the  7th  month  vi^s  appointed  a 
day  for  a  public  fast  and  humiliation;  and  Fisher 
again  atten^pted  to  relieve  his  exercised  mind  in  a 
public-nianner.  For  this  purpose  he  attended  the 
parish  worship^house  called  St.  Margaret's,  in 
Westminster.  This  was  the  place  where  the  mem- 
bers  of  parliament  were  to  attend.  After  two  of 
their  ministers  had  finished  their  sermons,  Fisher 
attempted  to  relieve  his  mind,  but  with  no  better 
success  than  before.  He  therefore  had  recourse 
to  the  same  o^pedient,  and  committed  to  writing 
the  substance  of  what  he  would  have  verbally 
communicated.  Indeed  it  is  probable  he  rather 
enlarged  than  contracted  it ;  as  the  piece  consists 
of  eight  folio  pages,  and  contains  much  excellent 
advice  as  well  as  close  remonstrance  on  various  sub- 
jects relating  to^heirj)ublic^nd  private  conduct. 

In  the  year  1659,  he  accompanied  Edward  Bur- 
rough  to  Dunkirk,  where  they  visited  the  Capuchin 
and  other  Friars ;  also  the  Jesuits ;  and  "had  some 
discourse  with  them  on  the  subject  of  the  Light  of 
Christy  and  warned  them  of  the  day  that  would 
come  upon  their  idolatrous  ways,  worships,  and 
works.  They  had  also  religious  meetings  with  the 
English  soldiers  and  tlieir  officers ;  Dunkirk  bein<y 
at  that  tinve  in  possession  of  the  English.  1  hey 
were  sent  for  on  their  landing  by  Colonel  Alsop, 
deputy-governor  to  Lockhart,  and  when  Lockhart 
returned  he  also  sent  for  them.    To  these  persona 


n 


r 


»■ 


-;! 


228 


LIFE   OF   SAMrEL   FISHER. 


they  explained  the  nature  of  their  concern,  and 
were  civilly  treated  by  them. 

Having  performed   their  service  at  Dunkirk, 
they  returned  to  England,  and  in  the  following 
year  Samuel  Fisher  and  John  Stubbs  went  to 
Rome,  where  they  entered  into  conversation  with 
some  of  the  cardinals,  and  testified  against  the 
Popish  superstitions.   They  also  distributed  books, 
explanatory  of  their  principles,  among  the  friars, 
some  of  whom  confessed  to  the  truth  of  their  doc- 
trine ;  but  said  that  if  they  should  acknowledge 
this  publicly,   they  might  expect  to  be   burnt. 
Fisher  and  Stubbs,  however,  met  with  no  inter- 
ruption or  molestation.     In  the  course  of  their 
iourney  they  underwent  many  difficulties,  travelling 
on  foot  over  the  Alps,  and  in  the  countries  through 
which  they  had  to  pass ;  but  that  Divine  hand 
which  led  them  forth,   protected   and  delivered 
them  ;   and  brought  them  safely  back   to   their 
Dative  land. 

After  his  return  to  England,  Fisher  was  seldom 
out  of  prison  for  his  religious  conduct  and  prin- 
ciples. In  the  year  l66l,  he  was  arrested  at  a 
meeting  in  Westminster,  and  committed  to  the 
Gatehouse,  where  he  was  continued  a  prisoner  for 
several  months,  in  a  small  hole,  witliout  a  chim- 
ney, during  a  cold  season  of  the  year.  After  his 
release  from  this  imprisonment,  he  was  appre- 
hended as  he  was  walking  in  the  streets  of  London; 


LIFE    OF    SAMUEL   FISHER. 


22!& 


and  with  nine  others  was  committed  to  Woodstreet 
Compter,  where  the  accommodation  was  so  small, 
that  there  was  not  room  for  all  of  them  to  lie 
down  at  once.  Being  taken  before  the  magistrates 
at  Guildhall,  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy 
were  tendered  to  him,  which  of  course  refusing  to 
take,  he  was  committed  to  Newgate,  where  he 
continued  sixteen  weeks. 

He  could  not  have  been  long  at  liberty,  before 
he  was  again  made  a  prisoner ;  for  I  find  that  on 
the  21st  of  the  3d  month,  1662,  he  was  aj  rested 
in  a  private  house,  by  a  company  of  soldiers,  who 
showed  no  cause  for  their  violent  conduct,  nor 
any  warrant  but  their  swords.  After  being  hurried 
from  place  to  place,  he  was  at  last  brought  before 
llichard  Brown,  a  man  famous,  or  rather  infamous, 
for  his  violent  persecuting  spirit.  By  him  Fisher 
was  committed  to  Bridewell.  The  next  day  his 
mittimus  was  changed,  and  the  diarge  on  which 
he  was  committed  was  for  unlawfully  assembling 
to  worship.  After  an  imprisonment  of  six  weeks 
he  was  brought  up  to  the  sessions  at  the  Old 
Bailey,  where,  instead  of  a  legal  trial  on  the  sub- 
ject of  his  mittimus,  the  oath  was  again  adminis- 
tered to  him,  contrary  to  law,  in  his  situation  as  a 
prisoner.  He  desired  the  law  to  be  read  that  re- 
quired him  to  take  the  oath,  which,  though  pro- 
mised, was  not  done,  but  only  the  form  of  the 
ealh  was  itad  to  hiai.    Even  ^\Len  this  was  doiie> 

M 


!  i 


i| 


1^30 


LIFE    OF    SAMUEL   FISHER. 


time  was  not  afforded  for  him  to  give  a  reply,  but 
the  magistrates  immediately  ordered  him  to  be 
taken  way,  a  command  which  the  officers  executed 
with  that  violence  which  they  knew  would  be  ac- 
ceptable to  their  superiors.  On  leaving  the  court, 
Samuel  Fisher  addressed  it  with  these  few  em- 
phatic words :  "  If  such  doings  as  these  ever  pros- 
per, it  must  be  when  there  is  no  God." 

He  was  now  committed  to  Newgate,  where  he 
continued  a  prisoner  about  twelve  months,  many 
of  his  friends  being  in  confinement  there  at  the 
same  lime.     This  dear  Friend  might  indeed  say 
with  the  apostle,  "  In  every  place,  bonds  and  af- 
flictions abide  me."     Before  the  expiration  of  the 
year  1 663,  a  great  part  of  which  must  have  elapsed 
previous  to  his  liberation  from  Newgate,  he  was 
attain  arrested  and  committed  to  prison.     While 
attending  a  meeting  at  Charlewood  in  Surry,  he 
was  taken  and  committed  to  the  White  Lion  Jail 
in  Southwark.     Here  he  continued  a  prisoner  till 
the  tmie  of  his  death,  which  took  place  on  the  last 
day  of  the  6th  month,  1665.     Concerning  his  de- 
cease I  find  no  particulars,  except  that  Sewel 
flays  he  "  died  piously." 

Samuel  Fisher  not  only  laboured  and  suffered 
greatly,  but  also  wrote  much.  His  works  are 
published  in  a  folio  volume  containing  nearly  1000 
pages,  of  which  his  "  Rusticus  ad  Academicos,  or 


LIFE   OF   SAMUEL   FlSffER. 


231 


the  Rustick's  Alarm  to  the  Rabbies,"  consists  of 
about  750.  It  is  a  reply  to  the  aspersions  of  se- 
veral men  of  eminence  on  the  Principles  of  Friends. 
They  are  thus  described  in  the  title,  "John  Owen, 
D.  D.  late  Dean  of  Christ's  Church  Coll.  Oxon ; 
Thomas  Danson,  M.  A.  once  Fellow  of  Magd.  Coll. 
Oxon,  since  one  of  the  Seers  for  the  Town  of  Sand- 
wich in  Kent;  John  Tombs,  B.  D.  once  of  Bewd- 
ley,  since  of  Lemster;  Richard  Baxter,  Minister  of 
Kederminster,  anodier  eminent  Master  in  this 
English  Israel."  To  analyse  this  work  would 
almost  require  a  volume.  It  is  written  in  that  con- 
troversial spirit  which  characterized  the  times,  and 
though  containing  many  strong  arguments,  and 
manifesting  much  learning,  yet  the  languat^e  is 
frequently  coai^er  than  might  have  been  expected 
from  a  man  of  his  abilities  and  acquirements  and  is 
by  no  means  adapted  to  the  taste  of  this  refined  age. 
The  work,  however,  was  very  useful  at  the  time 
of  its  publication ;  and  V^illiam  Penn  in  particular 
acknowledges  the  benefit  which  he  received  from 
reading  it. 

Besides  the  above  work,  he  wrote  several 
pieces  on  the  subject  of  Swearing,  being  answers 
to  some  Writers  in  Defence  of  the  Practice  iiu 
Courts  of  Law.  His  last  publication  on  this  sub- 
ject was  in  answer  to  Dr.  Gauden,  Bishop  of  Exe- 
ter. To  this  work  he  gives  a  Greek  title  as  well  as 
an  English  one.     The  latter  being  a  translation  of 


«se 


LIFE   OF   SAMUEL   FISHER. 


the  former:  "The  Bishop  busied  beside  the 
Business."  It  is  an  able  and  learned  reply  to  the 
Bishop's  arguments,  though  rather  prolix,  contain- 
ing nearly  100  pages  of  close  printed  folio. 

It  appears  from  various  accounts,  that  Samuel 
pisher  was  a  man  of  a  most  amiable  disposition 
and  manners.     Ellis  Hookes,  Luke  Howard,  and 
Wm.  Penn,  all  speak  very  highly  of  his  virtues. 
The  latter  says,  "  Though  I  greatly  valued  his 
abilities,  employed  so  accurately  in  a  good  cause ; 
yet  above  all  I  camiot  but  admire  and  love  his 
great  self-denial  and  humility,  who  from  being  a 
Teacher,  became  willing  to  be  taught ;  and  that 
most  evenness  and  sweetness  of  temper  his  most 
intimate  friends  have  ©ften  observed  in  hini ;  so 
that  he  was  not  only  a  good  scribe,  but  a  good 
liver  ;  a  christian  according  to  the  Apostle  James, 
composed  of  faith  and  works ;   therefore  is  his 
name  of  good  savour  with  the  righteous,  because 
he  counted  nothing  dear,  in  comparison  of  the  ex- 
cellency of  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  which 
came  not  by  flesh  and  blood,  but  by  the  revela- 
tion of  the  Father  of  Lights.^'    ITiis  testimony  of 
"W'm.  Penn  is  abundantly  confirmed  by  his  intimate 
friends,   Ellis  Hookes  and  Luke  Howard,   who 
speak  highly  of  his  christian  virtues  and  patient 
suffering  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus. 


Me9C>66«« 


SUPPLEMENT 


TO  THE 


LIFE  OF  GEORGE  FOX^ 


CONTAINING 


A   BRIEF   REVIEW 


OF  THE 


DOCTRINES  and  PRACTICES 


INCCLCAtED   BY  HIM. 


*^99^u* 


END  OF  THE  SECOND  VOLUME, 


-.1 


SUPPLEMENT 


TO    TBE 


LIFE  of  GEORGE  FOX,  ^c. 


Although  the  Biographical  Notice  which 
has  been  taken  of  George  Fox,  contains  an  occa- 
sional statement  of  the  principles  and  practices 
which  he  propagated,  it  seems  a  proper,  in  the  con- 
clusion, to  dmw  them  into  one  point  of  view,  and 
exhibit  them  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  reader 
may  be  capable  of  forming  a  judgment  of  their 
rectitude,  and  of  the  beneficial  effects  resulting 
from  them* 


The  fundamental  principle  which  he  was  most 
concerned  to  inculcate,  was  the  universality  of  the 
Light,  Grace,  or  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  its  suffi- 
ciency to  teach  men  all  things  necessary  to  salva- 
tion. Yet,  while  he  bore  testimony  to  this  Divine 
principle,  as  the  anointing,  which  the  Apostle  John 
told  the  primitive  Christians,  taught  them  of  all 
things,  he  was  far  from  denying  the  use  of  other 
means,  which  God  has  condescended  to  afford  for 
the  instruction  of  mankind  ;  whether  through  the 

a  2 


IV 


SUPPLEMENT   TO   THE 


Holy  Scriptures,  the  Preaching  of  the  Gospel,  or 
any  other  outward  instruction,  consistent  with  the 
Christian  dispensatiott. 

The  principal  use,  however,  of  all  these  means 
he  considered  to  be,  to  bring  the  minds  of  those 
who  partook  of  them,  to  an  acquaintance  with  the 
inward  teacher,  the  Light  of  Christ  manifested  in 
the  heart;  by  an  attention  to  which,  the  benefits  of 
the  sufferings  of  our  blessed  Redeemer  come  to 
l)e  experienced,  according  to  the  testimony  of  one 
Apostle  on  behalf  of  himself  and  his  fellow  la- 
bourers in  the  Gospel ;  1  John  i.  5. 6.  7  :  "  This 
then  is  the  message  which  we  have  heard  of  him, 
and  declare  unto  you  ;  that  God  b  Light,  and  in 
Ilim  is  no  darkness  at  all.  If  we  say  that  we  have 
fellowship  with  Him,  and  walk  in  darkness,  we 
lie  and  do  not  the  truth ;  but  if  we  walk  in  the 
light,  as  He  is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship 
one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
his  Son  cleansetli  us  from  all  Sin." 

George  Fox  and  our  early  friends  might,  and 
often  did,  adopt  these  words  of  the  Apostle,  as 
the  peculiar  message  given  to  them.  For,  how- 
ever they  may  have  been  charged  to  the  contrary, 
they  fiilly  believed  in  the  benefits  to  be  derived 
from  our  Saviour's  sufferings  and  death  ;  both  as 
a  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  mankind,  and  as  the 
Mediator  between  God  and  man^ 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX.  / 

In  occasionally  giving  a  brief  statement  of  the 
substance  of  his  sermons,  Christ  is  often  mentioned 
by  George  Fox,  in  both  these  capacities.     To  the 
soundness  of  his  Christian  principles,  his  friend 
George  Whitehead  bears  ample  testimony,  in  his 
Preface  to  the  volume  of  Epistles  noticed  in  the 
Appendix.     G.  Whitehead's  words  are : ''  This  our 
deceased  friend,  and  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  truly 
testified  of  Him  in  all  respects,  both  as  come  in 
the  flesh  and  in  the  spirit ;  both  as  Christ  was  and 
is  our  only  Mediator  and  Advocate ;  and  as  He 
was  and  is,  "  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever."    And 
his  knowledge  and  ministry  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  being  after  the  Spirit,  in  life  and  power,  did 
no  ways  imply  any  lessening  of  the  dignity  or  glory 
of  Christ,  nor  any  defect  of  faith  or  love  to  Christ, 
as  he  came  and  suffered  in  the  flesh  for  mankind  ; 
for  he  highly  esteemed  Christ's  sufferings,  death, 
resurrection  and  glory  ;  and  powerfully  testified  of 
the  virtue,  power,  blessed  and  spiritual  design, 
fruit,  and  effects  thereof,  as  revealed  and  witnessed 
by  his  Holy  Spirit." 

It  was  from  this  Divine  principle,  or  Holy 
Spirit,  which  may  be  considered  as  the  leading  fea- 
ture of  his  doctrine,  that  he  considered  all  true 
qualification  for  Gospel  ministry  was  to  be  derived, 
and  all  ministers  qualified  rightly  to  comply  with 
the  Apostolic  injunction:     "  If  any  man  speak, 

a  3 


%i 


SUPPLEMENT   TO   THE 


LIFE   OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


▼II 


I 


let  bim  speak  as  the  oracles  of  God  ;  if  any  man; 
minister,  let  him  do  it  as  of  the  ability  which  God 
giveth."  This  spirit  be  considered  50  sufficient 
for  the  purpose  of  Gospel  ministry,  as  to  preclude 
the  necessity  for  human  learning,  or  any  other  ac- 
quirements, except  the  gifts  and  graces  which  the 
Holy  Spirit  confers.  This  spirit  he  also  consi- 
dered sufficient  to  qualify  for  the  performance  of 
divine  worship ;  which  may  be  performed  either 
in  silent  adoration,  or  by  public  religious  service, 
if  any  are  rightly  called  or  raovedtoit: 

It  must  be  admitted  that  these  principles,  if  they 
were  generally  acted  upon,  would,  in  their  result, 
tend  to  the  subversion  of  those  modes  of  worship 
and  ministry,  which  depend  oir  human  ordination 
and  appointment,  for  which  establishments  aie 
often  formed,  and  the  expense  of  them  is  imposed 
not  onlv  on  those  who  unite  in  them,  but  also  on 
such  as  conscientiously  dissent^  either  from  the 
principles  or  practices  taught  in  these  established 
churches.  It  may  therefore  be  reasonably  siip- 
posed,  that  this  part  of  George  Fox*s  doctrines, 
subjected  him  and  his  friends  to  much  persecution ; 
but  their  long  and  patient  suffering  mider  it,  pro- 
duced at  length  the  mitigation  of  divers  lavi^  in 
their  favour  ;  and  perhaps  it  will  not  be  too  much 
to  say,  that  this  Society  has  been,  more  than  any 
other,  a  means  of  procuring  the  extension  of  reli- 


gious liberty,  and  of  opening  the  eyes  of  many 
persons,  to  the  benefits  resulting  from  religious 
tx>leration.  The  belief  that  man  is  accountable  to  his 
Maker  only  for  his  religious  opinions  and  practices, 
provided  these  do  not  infringe  on  any  moral  or 
civil  obligation,  early  impressed  the  mind  of  this 
enlightened  man  :  and  it  is  a  cause  of  consolation 
to  believe,  that  it  is  a  principle,  which  is  now  mak- 
ing a  rapid  progress  in  the  Christian  world; 

Asa  free  exercise  of  GbspeF  ministry  on  disin- 
terested principles,  by  those  who  were  "  called  of 
God,"  was  earnestly  promoted  by  George  Fox,  so 
all  systems,  not  coinciding  with  these  views,  were 
the  subjects  of  his  animadversion.  "Freely  ye 
have  received,  freely  give,"  might  be  considered  as 
bis  motto.  From  this  principle  he  was  led  to  op- 
pose the  views  of  many  of  his  contemporaries, 
who  made  a  trade  of  preaching,  and  who,  not  un- 
frequently  manifested  by  their  conduct,  that  they 
regarded  the  fleece  more  than  the  flock.  All  esta- 
blished maintenance  for  ministers  was  disapproved 
by  him,  and  he  was  particularly  opposed  to  that- 
arising  from  tithes,  which  he  considered  not  only 
objectionable  on  the-  general  principle  he  had 
adopted,  of  a  free  ministi7,  but  also  on  account  of 
its  reverting  to  the  old  legal  system,  from  which 
tha  Gospel  of  Christ  had  emancipated  its  true 
professors.     The  principles   which    have    beejL 


VUl 


SUPPLEMENT   TO   THE 


maintained  by  the  friends  of  George  Fox,  have,  it 
is  presumed,  thrown  much  light  on  this  subject ; 
and  perhaps  will  eventually  be  a  means,  with 
other  co-operating  causes,  of  removing  this  politi- 
cal, as  well  as  religious,  evil  of  tithes,  from  the 
professors  of  Christianity,  at  least  in  this  country.* 

Being  well  taught  in  the  school  of  Christ,  Geo. 
Fox  appears  to  have  particularly  imbibed  the 
spirit  of  that  evangelical  song,  with  which  our 
blessed  Redeemer  was  introduced  into  the  world  : 
«  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace, 
goodwill  towards  men."  As  in  his  successful 
Gospel  labours,  he  uniformly  ascribed  the  praise 
to  his  Divine  master,  so  in  his  conduct  towards 
others  he  remarkably  exemplified  the  latter  part  of 
this  sacred  Anthem  :  "  On  earth  peace,  goodwill 

*  As  the  Author's  health  did  not  permit  him  to  revise  the 
Jd  volume,  iuchiding  this  "  Supplement,"  the  Editor  conceives 
it  will  comport  with  the  general  instructions  received  from 
his  valued  relative,  to  supply  the  following  paragraph. 

The  objection  of  George  Fox  to  many  of  the  religious 
forms  and  ceremonies  in  general  use,  was  a  prominent 
part  of  his  system.  His  opinion  appears  to  have  been,  that 
most  of  these  forms  were  uusanction-d  by  Scripture ;  and 
that  by  drawing  men  from  the  work  of  religion  in  the  heart, 
they  were  calculated  rather  to  oppose,  than  to  promote,  true 
piety.  The  use  of  Water  Baptisu),  in  particular,  he  thought 
tended  to  divert  mankind  from  that  "  one  baptism"  which  now 
saveth  •  "  not  the  putting  away  of  the  filth  of  ihe  flesh,  but  th« 
answer  of  a  good  coiucieace  towards  God/' 


LIFE    OF    GEORGE    FOX. 


IS 


towards  men,"  formed  indeed  a  striking  feature  ift 
the  doctrines  propagated  by  this  excellent  man. 
He  carried  tlus  sentiment  so  far,  as  to  disapprove 
of  all  "  wars  and  fightings,"  conceiving  them  to 
proceed  from  the  unmortified  passions  of  men ; 
and  to  have  no  political  necessity,  if  these  pas- 
sions were  subjected  to  the  influence  of  the  Cross 
of  Christ,  and  regulated  by  the  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts which  he  and  his  Apostles  taught  to  their 
followers.  The  excellency  of  the  testimony  which 
George  Fox  and-  his  friends  have  borire  against 
war,  is  much  more  generally  acknowledged  than 
acted  upon.  But,  on  this  subject,  I  believe,  light 
is  spreading;  and  that  it  will  ultimately  so  far  pre- 
vail, tliat  "  Natioa  shall  not  lift  up  sword  against 
Nation,,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more,'*  is 
among  the  many  consoling  hopes,  which  the  spirit 
ef  prophecy  holds  out  to  the  believing  christian. 

Swearing,  not  only  profane,  but  legal,  was  con- 
sidered by  George  Fox  as  so  expressly  forbidden 
by  our  Saviour,  that  he  and  his  friends,  consonant 
with  the  words  of  the  Apostle  James,  entirely  de- 
clined the  use  of  oaths.  The  sufferings  which  be 
underwent  on  this  account  are  alreatly  related. 
His  friends  also  largely  partook  of  the  same  cup, 
»nd  all  from  professors  of  the  christian  name,  for 
obedience  to  a  positive  command  of  their  common 
master.     But  in  this  respect  the  laws  aie  now  fa- 

a  5 


Jl  SUPPLEMENT   TO   THE 

vourable  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  they  have 
reason  to  believe  that  many  of  their  fellow  chris- 
tians of  other  Societies  lament  the  frequency  at 
leasts  of  legal  swearing. 

While  George  Fox's  capacious  mind  embraced 
the  great  and  important  principles  already  noticed, 
he  was  also  attentive  to  some  minor  evils  which 
existed  in  the  christian  world,  and  which  he  con- 
sidered inconsistent  with  the  christian  character. 
Of  these  the  complimentary  and  flattering  titles 
given  to  men,  the  addressing  individuals  in  the 
plural  number,  and  bowing,  or  putting  off  the  hat, 
struck  him  as  inconsistent  with  the  simplicity  of 
the  Gospel,  and  with  the  doctrines  which  our 
Saviour  taught,  when  personally  on  earth.  These 
practices  he  therefore  laid  aside;  and  the  disuse 
of  them  by  his  friends,  the  plainness  of  their 
dress,  and  their  not  regulating  it  by  the  fashion  of 
the  day,  continue  to  be  marks  of  the  members  of 
this  Society. 

Although  the  principles  of  George  Fox,  both  as 
to  civil  and  religious  rights,  were  very  liberal,  yet 
they  were  far  from  being  such  as  led  to  anarchy 
and  confusion  ;  and  therefore  in  the  Society  which 
he  had  been  the  principal  means  of  forming,  he 
early  saw  the  necessity  of  establishing  a  christian 
discipline,  by  which  its  members  were  employed 


LIFE    OF   GEORGE   FOX. 


XI 


in  watching  over  and  admonishing  each  other, 
when  occasion  required ;  and  those  whose  conduct 
became  reproachful,  and  could  not  be  reclaimed, 
were  disowned,  or  disunited,  and  the  Society 
cleared  of  the  discredit  which  might  otherwise  at- 
tach to  it.  However  infallible  was  the  principle 
of  Divine  Light  and  Grace  which  he  preached,  he 
well  knew  that  those  who  professed  a  belief  in  it, 
were  fallible  men.  He  therefore  wisely  considered, 
for  the  purpose  already  mentioned,  as  well  as 
for  various  others,  relating  to  the  internal  oeconomy 
of  the  society,  that  meetings  for  discipline  were 
essentially  necessary.  These  he  was  instrumental 
in  establishing  upon  a  plan  that  has  now  existed 
about  150  years;  and  experience  has  shown  the 
wisdom  in  which  they  were  made. 

Among  the  peculiarities  of  George  Fox's  views, 
was  the. part  which  he  assigned  to  the  female  sex, 
so  far  as  related  to  themselves,  in  the  discipline 
which  he  had  established,  and  in  asserting  their 
call,  by  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  to  a  part 
in  the  ministry.  One  obvious  effect  resulting  from 
these  regulations  was,  to  raise  the  sex  in  useful- 
ness and  importance,  and  consequently  to  elevate 
their  character,  both  in  religious  and  civil  society. 
This,  it  has  been  often  observed,  is  one  of  the 
many  beneficial  effects  of  Christianity;  but  no 
Society  of  Chiistians  has  carried  this  so  far  as 


vn[^»*» 


HI 


SUPPLEMENT  TO   THE,  &C. 


that  of  Friends ;  and  there  is,  perhaps,  no  society 
in  which  the  sex  is  mare  virtuous,  or  more  respec- 
table, or  more  ^appy. 

Besides  the  various  matters  already  mentioned, 
this  enlightened  Reformer,  (for  so  I  hope  I  may 
now  be  permitted  to  style  him,)  testified  against 
those  public   amusements   and   diversions  which 
are  much  in  use  »mong  professing  Christians; 
but   as  there  are   many  other  religious  people, 
who,  in  a  great  measure,  concur  with  him  in  these 
respects,  it  may  not  be  necessary  to  rank  these  among 
his  peculiarities.     His  sentiments,  however,  and 
the  practice  of  the  society  in  reference  to  these 
things,  may  fairly  be  considered  as  exalting  their 
moral  character ;  and  when  all  the  principles  and 
practices   propagated  by  this   true  Follower  of 
Christ,  are  fully  taken  into  view,  I  believe  it  will 
be  found  that  few,  if  any,  have  appn>ached  nearer 
to  the  standard  of  those  Christian  precepts  in- 
culcated by  our  blessed  Redeemer,  in  his  most 
excellent   Sermon   on   the  Mount,   and  that  no 
principles  are  better  calculated  to  promote  the 
happiness  of  man  in  this  world,  or  more  adapted 
to  prepare  him  for  a  state  of  happiness  ia  that 
which  is  to  come. 


END  of  itie  SUPPLEMENT. 


^' 


if 


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MENRT  TUKEi 


TO  WHICH   IS  PKEFIXED 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  of  the  AUTHOR, 


By  LINDIEY  MURBAY. 


IN  FOUR  VOLUMES. 
VOL.  IIL 


PBIKTEP   FOB  W.  ALEXANDSB. 

1815. 


THE 


r„ 


PRINCIPLES  OF  RELIGION, 


AS   PROFESSED   BT   THE 


SOCIETY  OF  CHRISTIANS, 


VStJALLY   CALLES 


QUAKE  RS, 

iVntten  for  the  Instruction  of  their  Youth,  oimI 
ior  the  Information  of  Stranger^ 


%  HENRY  TUKE. 


tHE    FIFTH    EDITION- 


>*  i^^^^i^jH^i^v 


.fl:^ 


^or6 : 


PRINTED   BY   C.  PEACOCK, 

FOR 

W.ALEXANDER,  AND   SOLD    BY    HIM; 

•SVLD   ALSO    BY    D\RTOW.    HARVfcY.    AND  CO.    GRACE- 

^MKBCH*STR£ET,  AND  W.  PHILLIPS,  JLOMBARD* 

8TAEET,   LONDON. 

1812. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Considehiso  the  many  publications  wliicli  already 
eiist,  explanatory  of  the  principles  of  our  religious  society, 
it  may  seem,  to  some  persons,  superfluous,  to  publish  any 
thing  further  on  this  subject.    I  have,  notwithstanding, 
been  long  apprehensive  that  a  work  is  still  wanting,  which 
shall  include  the  wlvole,  or  the  most  material  part  of  our 
principles ;  and,  in  a  concise,  yet  perspicuous  manner, 
convey  a  sufficient  explanation  and  defence  of  them.  The 
ample  and  excellent  Apology  of  Robert  Barclay,  is  too 
diffuse  for  the  generality  of  young  readers;  and  it  requires 
a  more  close  and  patient  attention  than  many  are  willing 
to  bestow.      It  would,  however,   in  my  apprehension, 
amply  repay  that  attention  :  and  I  am  so  far  from  being 
dtsirous  to  lessen  its  use,  that  I  wish  particularly  to  recom- 
mend  it  to  those  of  our  society,  who  desire  (what  all 
should  desire)  thoroughly  to  understand  their  own  reli- 
gious principles.     If  the  language  is  not  modern,  it  is  still 
correct  and  clear;  if  the  work  is  thought  too  controversial, 
we  should  recollect,  that  the  controversy  is  on  subjects, 
the  right  understanding  of  which,  is  intimately  connected 
with  our  existence  as  a  religious  society,    The  light  and 

A  2 


1B6324 


Vf 


INTRODUCTrON, 


miscellaneous  reading  of  the  present  day,  jt  is  to  fee 
feared,  disinclines  many  amongst  us,  as  well  as  others, 
from  subjects,  which  require  close  ftttentlen  tintl  seriouji 
consideration;  and  I  with  it  may  not  alio  be  a  means  of 
weakening  the  attachment  of  many  to  those  religious 
truths,  in  which  our  highest  duty  and  our  deepest  interest 
consist. 

Jn  this  work,  I  have  been  desirous  of  inculcating  the 
jgeneral  principles  of  religion,  and  of  Christianity,  as  well 
as  those  which  are  peculiar  to  our  society ;  believing,  that 
we  can  no  longer  exist,  with  any  degree  of  consistency, 
than  whilst  those  principles  are  maintained,  which  consU- 
Jute  the  basis  of  the  Christian  Religion.  These  I  consider 
to  be,  faith  in  God,  and  a  belief  of  the  immortality  of  the 
soul;  a  humbling  sense  of  the  depravity  of  human  nature, 
and  of  the  necessity  and  benefits  of  a  Redeeraer;  that  thi» 
Redeemer  is  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord ;  that  what  the  Evan- 
gelists and  Apostles  have  written  concerning  him,  is  true, 
both  in  relation  to  his  humanity  ami  lus  Divinity,  as  are> 
likewise  their  accounts  of  his  many  mighty  works  and 
|niracles ;  his  having,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  offered 
himself  unto  God  fur  us,  as  a  propitiation  for  our  sins; 
and  sent  the  Comforter,  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  to  con- 
vince the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment;, 
and  to  guide  into  all  truths 


INTRODUCTION.  ▼ 

In  treating  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  I  have  particulariy 
endeavoured  to  obviate  the  principal  objections  made 
against  them ;  since  it  is  by  attempting  to  invalidate  their 
authenticity  and  divine  authority,  that  the  enemies  of  the 
Christian  religion  attack  our  faith.    I  have  introduced 
the  subject  of  the  Scriptures,  previously  to  the  chapter  on 
the  Christian  religion;  considering,  that  if  the  authenticity 
and  veracity,  to  say  nothing  of  the  divine  authority,  of 
these  writings  be  established,  it  is  then  necessary  only  to 
show,  what  Christianity  is,  according  to  the  Scriptures:  a 
few  arguments  are,  however,  added,  in  support  of  the 
Christian  religion. 

With  respect  to  those  principles,  which  are  peculiar  to 
©ur  religious  society,  I  hope  that,  however  singular  they 
may  appear  to  some,  they  will,  on  close  examination,  be 
found  consistent  with  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  gos- 
pel dispensation.  The  conviction  of  this  consistency  has 
been  increased  on  my  mind,  by  the  investigation  which 
the  writing  of  this  work  has  occasioned ;  and,  I  trust,  we 
are  able  to  give  such  reasons  for  our  dissent  from  other 
Christians,  as  may  at  least  excuse  it  to  those  from  whom 
we  differ. 

Although  very  little  is  quoted  in  this  work  from  any 
\o6ks,  but  those  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  it  may  be  proper 

A  3 


Xf 


INTRODUCTrON. 


miscellaneous  reading  of  the  present  day,  it  is  to  be 
feared,  disinclines  many  amongst  us>  as  well  as  otherSj 
from  subjectSi  i^hich  require  cloiA  Attention  and  lOfiouA 
consideration;  and  I  wish  it  may  not  alio  be  a  means  of 
weakening  the  attachment  of  many  to  those  religious 
truths,  in  which  our  highest  duty  and  our  deepest  interest 
consist. 

Jn  this  work,  I  have  been  desirous  of  inculcating  the 
general  principles  of  religion,  and  of  Christianity,  as  well 
as  those  which  are  peculiar  to  our  society ;  believing,  that- 
we  can  no  longer  exist,  with  any  degree  of  consistency, 
llhan  whilst  those  principles  are  maintained,  which  constl-^ 
(ute  the  basis  of  the  Christian  Religion.  These  I  consider 
to  be,  faith  in  God,  and  a  belief  of  the  immortality  of  the 
soul;  a  humbling  sense  of  the  depravity  of  human  nature, 
and  of  the  necessity  and  benefits  of  a  Redeemer;  that  this^ 
fledeemec  is  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord ;  that  what  the  Evan- 
gelists and  Apostles  have  written  concerning  him,  is  true, 
both  in  relation  to  his  humanity  and  Iiis  Divinity,  as  are, 
likewise  their  accounts  of  his  many  mighty  works  and 
iniracles ;  his  having,  llirough  the  eternal  Spirit,  offered 
himself  unto  God  for  us,  as  a  propitiation  for  our  sins; 
and  sent  the  Comforter,  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  to  con- 
vince the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment;. 
and  to  guide  into  all  truth* 


INTRODUCTION.  ▼ 

In  treating  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  I  have  particularly 
endeavoured  to  obviate  the  principal  objections  made 
against  them ;  since  it  is  by  attempting  to  invalidate  their 
authenticity  and  divine  authority,  that  the  enemies  of  the 
Christian  religion  attack  our  faith.  I  have  introduced 
the  subject  of  the  Scriptures,  previously  to  the  chapter  on 
the  Christian  religion ;  considering,  that  if  the  authenticity 
and  veracity,  to  say  nothing  of  the  divine  authority,  of 
these  writings  be  established,  it  is  then  necessary  only  to 
show,  what  Christianity  is,  according  to  the  Scriptures:  a 
few  arguments  are,  however,  added,  in  support  of  the 
Christian  religion. 

With  respect  to  those  principles,  which  are  peculiar  to 
our  religious  society,  I  hope  that,  however  singular  they 
may  appear  to  some,  they  will,  on  close  examination,  be 
found  consistent  with  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  gos- 
pel dispensation.  The  conviction  of  this  consistency  has 
been  increased  on  ray  mind,  by  the  investigation  which 
the  writing  of  this  work  has  occasioned ;  and,  I  trust,  we 
are  able  to  give  such  reasons  for  our  dissent  from  other 
Christians,  as  may  at  least  excuse  it  to  those  from  whom 
we  differ. 


Although  very  little  is  quoted  in  this  work  from  any 
V>oks;  but  those  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  it  may  be  propei 

A  3 


Vi 


INTRODUCTION, 


tt>  sRy,  that  t  am  indebted  to  tbe  writings  of  others,  hm 
many  of  the  arguments  which  I  have  advanced.  At  a 
time  when  so  much  has  been  written,  and  well  written, 
on  these  subjects,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  many  fresh, 
arguments  can  be  brought  forward.  Some  new  matter 
will,  nevertheless,  be  found.  The  principal  object  aimed 
at  in  this  work  is,  to  digest  what  has  been  produced  by 
reading  and  reflection,  and  to  deliver  it  in  such  a  manner, 

as  may  briefly,  yet  clearly,  convey  the  sentiments  designed 
to  be  incufcated.  How  far  this  object  has  been  attained, 
h  not  for  me  to  determine. 


I  wish  not,  by  any  thing  which  I  have  written,  to  pro- 
mote a  spirit  of  controversy.  Ou  the  contrary,  I  desire 
the  increase  of  that  mutual  charity,  which  it  is  alike  our 
fluty  and  our  ihterest  to  cherish.  To  speak  what  we  ap- 
prehend to  be  truth,,  is,  however,  sometimes  necessary  ^ 
and  always  so,  if  we  speak  at  all.  If  we  do  this,  as  we 
ought  to  do,  in  love,  and  what  we  say  is  received  in  the 
same  spirit,  we  may  be  the  means  of  stirring  up  the  pure 
mind  in  each  other;  and  of  promoting  our  ^'  growing  up^ 
ift  Iliro,  in  all  things,  who  is  the  Head,  even  Christ,"* 

*  Egbesians  i?.  15, 


CONTENTS, 


CHAP.  L 
ON  RELIGION  IN  GENERAL. 

Universal  Importance  of  Religion. — The  belief  of  a  Goc^ 

its  first  principle,— 'The  next  that  of  the  immortality  of 

the  souL— Universality  of  these  principles.-^ Argument$^ 

for  thenu-^Faith  their  best  support ►  .  .  .  13b 


CHAP.  IL 


ON  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

Nature  and  design  of  the  Scriptures.-— 'Their  claim  to  our 
regard  and  to  the  belief  of  tlteir  being  divinely  inspired,- 
—Objections  ansuered— first  to  their  genuineness  and 
truth— 4iext  to  their  inspiration.— All  related  of  good 
men  not  intended  for  imitation.— ^Impartiality  of  the 
Scriptures.  —  Great  judgment  necessary  in  applying^ 
ihem.'— Possibility  of  placing  too  much  dependance  On 
4h€m, — On  calling  them  the  Word  of  God>  .  r  •  •  .  •  18« 


•  •r 


CONTENTS* 


CHAP.  III. 
ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  RELIGION. 

iTAe  Fall  of  Man  and  the  Promke  of  a  Redeemer,-^ 
T>\ff€rent  modes  of  divine  communication  to  Man.^^ 
Prospects  and  prophecies  of  the  Gospel  Day. — Christ 
comes  among  theJews.-^The  benefits  of  his  coming  designed 
to  be  univermL—Objects  of  His  coming  recapitulated.-^ 
Christian  redemption  a  work  of  love. — Divinity  of  Christ 
and  of  the  Hi>ly  Spirit. ^-On  the  Trinity—Justification-^ 
Resurrection. — Arguments  and  evidences  of  Christianity, 
^^The  true  and  perfect  Christian ►  .  .  4^ 


CHAP.  IV. 

ON  THE  INFLUENCES  OF  THE 
HOLY  SPIRIT. 


trUc  gift  of  the  Spirit  an  essential  if  Chri&tianity.^^Dif^ 

fcrent  names  for  the  Spirit. — Necessity  of  its  assistance 

-universally  afiorded'--and  in  all  ages— 'but  most  plenti- 

fully  in  the  GotpeL— Unconditional  election  and  repro- 

lut¥m  disowned  and  disapproved  ....«..*•«  r  64 


CONTENTS* 


CHAP.  V. 

ON  DIVINE  WORSHIP  AND  GOSPEL 

MINISTRY. 

Worship  an  act  (f  the  soul  towards  God.'-^  Meetings  for 
worship  may  be  held  in  silencc-^Public  worship  an  indis- 
pensable duty—treasonable  and  beneficial,'— Silent  worship 
adapted  to  all  states*— Its  advantages.— ^Scripture  argu* 
ments  for  it.— Prayer  a  necessary  duty.— The  gualifica- 
tions  of  Ministers.— 'Human  learning  not  essential  to  the 
Ministry.— No  individual  has  a  right  exclusively  to 
assume  the  exercise  of  it,— 'On  women^s  preaching. — Ofi 
preaching  for  hire. — Tithes 102 


CHAP.  VL 
ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

Preliminary  observations.— Two  kinds  of  Baptism— 'Water 
and  the  spirit. — Remarks  on  Matt,  xxviii.  19. — This  and 
other  arguments  in  favour  of  Water  Baptism  answered^ 
—Sprinkling  not  Baptism. — Sprinkling  of  Infants  not 
authorized  by  Scripture. — Circumstances  attending  it 
highly  objectionable.— The  Lord's  Supper.— 'The  circuni' 
stances  related  on  this  subject  fully  admitted.— 'Not  con- 
sidered perpetual  any  more  than  washing  of  feet.'— The 
true  Lord's  Supper, — Our  dissent  on  these  subjects  not 
jjrom  disesteem  of  Christianity y  but  the  reverse  ,  ►  .  108 


31  CONTENTS. 

CHAP.  VII. 

ON  THE  RELIGIOUS  OBSERVANCE* 
OF  DAYS  AND  TIMES. 

Exmpthn/rom  cemure  claimed  from  tfteir  non-obiervanat, 
— TA*  observance  </  them  disapproved  by  the  Apostle 
Paul.  ^  More  injuriota  than  beneficial  to  religion--^ 
especially  Festivals.^Setting  apart  one  day  in  the  week 
mppraoed.  —  On  Public  Fasts,  4c.  —  Conclusion  ffotn 
Rom.  xiv.  5,  &c.  ^ •  ^^^ 


CHAP.  VIII. 
ON  OATHS  AND  WAR. 

Quotations  from  Matt.  v.  —  Oaths  unnecessary.  —  Ar^* 
ments  in  favour  of  them  ansnered. — Arguments  in  favour 
of  War  answered.-'The  Christian  Religion  the  only 
remedy  fur  this  evil •  •  135 


CHAP.  IX. 
ON  AMUSEMENTS,  ^ 

General  remarks  on  them. — Rules  respecting  them. — On 
dancing  and  music. — Necessity  of  properly  regulating 
amusements  for  youth.-^Propriety  oj  avoiding  tempto" 
tim 150 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  X. 


ax 


ON  DRESS  AND  ADDRESS. 

Our  principle  for  regulating  dress.-^Scripture  passaget  in 
support  of  it. — An  objection  answered.^Non'Confarmity 
to  the  world  to  be  accompanied  with  the  transformation 
cf  the  mind. — Our  peculiarities  of  address  supported  by 
reason,  by  propriety,  and  by  religion.-^On  not  taking 
of  the  hat. — Custom  too  much  admitted  in  the  conduct  of 
Christians  .   , •..,.,, 154 


CHAP.  XI. 
ON  CIVIL  GOVERNMENT. 

Peaceablene.^  of  our  principles  a  security  to  Government.-^ 
Duties  of  subjects. — Suffering  peaceably  submitted  to, 
zihen  active  compliance  cannot  be  conscientiously  ren- 
dered. — Civil  and  religious  liberty  valued,  and  how  best 
defended , 1^3 


CHAP.  XIL 
ON  DISCIPLINE. 

The  necessity  of  discipline  in  religious  societies.-^Ohjc'ctions 
to  it   answered. — Particular  objects  of  our  discipline 
^numerated.^Different  Meetings  in  which  it  is  transact- 
ed.-^ Importance  of  transacting  it  in  a  right  spirit ..  16r 


4. 


gm 


CONTENTS^ 


*  CHAP.  XIIL 
CONCLUSION. 

Addres,  to  the  youth  an  the  remembrance  of  their  Creator. 

^Reason   and  Revelation.-^Tf^  Holy  Scriptures  and 

Christianity,-^On  our  peculiar  principles.^On  the  no- 

cecity  of  regeneration.-^Address  to  persons  not  of  our 

religious  persuasion •  • 


# 


'm^^mmt 


chjpter'l 

ON  RELIGION  IN  GENERAL. 

Universal  Importance  of  Religion. '^  The  Belief  tf 
God  itsjirst  Principle.^Thenext,  that  ofthelmmor^ 
tality  of  the  Soul^Universalitif  of  these  Principles, 
Arguments  for  them.^Faith  their  best  support. 

Religion  is  a  subject  which  involves  so 
ttiuch,  both  of  the  duty  and  interest  of  mankind, 
that  there  is  no  situation  in  life,  which  can 
exempt  from  the  considerations  and  obligations 
it  imposes  on  all  men ;  or  render  supei-fluous 
those  sources  of  enjoyment  and  consolation, 
which  it  aflfords  to  its  true  and  humble  pos- 
lessors. 


The  first  principle  of  reli^on  is,  the  belief 
4>f  a  Supreme  Being,  disthiguished  by  the  name 
of  God:  a  being,  who  is  the  original  Creator 
of  all  things-;  who  hath  all  power  in  his  hands^; 
who  is  perfect  in  wisdom  and  knowledge ;  wh© 
.IS  just  and  equivl  in  all  his  waysj  and  whose 


14 


t  * 


6lil   RELIGION  IN    GENERAL, 


lender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works.  He 
iuoweth  our  most  secret  actions,  words,  and 
thouglits ;  for  there  is  nothing  hid  from  Him, 
with  whom  we  have  to  do. 

The  next  principle  of  religion,  is  the  belief 
of  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  and  of  a  future 
state  of  rewards  and  punishments,  in  which  the 
great  distinction  will  be  made  between  the 
righteous  and  the  wicked;  those  inequalities 
which  appear  in  this  probationary  state  will  be 
removed;  and  a  recompeuce  given  to  every  man 
according  to  his  works. 

Although  these  principles  of  religion  are  not 
attended  with  that  kind  of  evidence,  which  the 
objects  of  our  extenial  senses  generally  afford ; 
yet  it  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  that  there  are 
scarcely  any  other  subjects,  which  have  obtained 
so  <veneral  belief  and  persuasion  amongst  man- 
kind, though  often  mixed  with  many  gross  ideas. 
They  are   principles   so  interwoven  with  our 
natures,  that  it  seems  to  indicate  an  extraor- 
dinary debasement,  or  perversion  of  mind,  not 
to  entertain  truths  so  universally  felt  and  ac- 
knowledged.     Tliey   are,   however,   principles 
which  may  be  supported  by  arguments,  drawn 


.if       »     » 


ON    RELIGION    IN    GENERAL. 


U 


from  the  nature  of  things ;  and,  notwithstanding 
the  general  consent  to  them,  it  may  be  proper 
to  bring  forward  a  few  of  these  arguments. 

Tlie  existence  of  a  Supreme  Being,  the 
Creator  of  heaven  and  earth,  is  evident  from 
tlic  works  of  creation.  The  magnificence  of 
some  of  these  works;  the  regularity  and  order 
with  which  they  move  in  their  appointed  sta- 
tions ;  the  beauty  and  use  attendant  upon  others, 
with  the  important  purposes  which  are  accom- 
plished by  them,  particularly  to  the  animal  crea- 
tion; evince  so  clearly  both  design  and  power, 
as  to  afford  an  insuperable  argument  in  favour 
of  a  Great  First  Cause,  perfect  in  wisdom  and 
goodness,  as  well  as  unlimited  in  power.  To 
these  considerations  may  be  added,  the  wonderful 
arrangement  of  the  animal  economy.  The  dif- 
ferent parts,  adapted  to  their  different  purposes 
with  peculiar  exactness  and  advantage,  might 
well  induce  the  pious  Psalmist  to  atklress  his 
Makei*  in  this  emphatic  language  :  "  I  will 
praise  thee,  for  I  am  fearfuUy  and  wonderfully 
made;  marvellous  are  thy  works,  and  that  my 
soul  knoweth  right  well."*  Thus  also  a  con- 
sideration of  the  other  works  of  creation,  in- 

♦  Psalin  cxxxix.  14, 
B  2 


•jtf 


ON   RELIGION   IN   GENEHAJL. 


ON   RELIGION   IN    GENERAL* 


17 


tluced  the  same  Psalmist  to  celebrate  liis  Maker"^ 
praise :  *'  The  Heavens  declare  the  glory  Of 
God^  and  the  firmament  showeth  his  handy 
work.  J)ay  unto  day  uttereth  speech,  and 
night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge.  Tliere  rs 
no  speech  nor  language  where  their  voice  is 
not  heard.*"  And  again:  "  O  lK)rd!  ho\y' 
manifold  ore  thy  M^orks;  ia  wisdom  hast  thou 

ina^c  them  alL"^ 

I. 

Nor  are  we  without  arguments  for  our  iin? 
mortality,  and  a  future  state  of  retribution,  the 
"belief  of  which  is,  as  it  were,  the  soul  of  reli- 
gion: for  when  we  have  entertained  suitable 
ideas  of  a  Supreme  Being ;  when  we  feel  those 
aspirations  unto  him,  and  those  desires  to  unite 
•Mith  him,  which  frequently  arise  in  our  hearts; 
and  particularly  when  we  look  at  the  state  of  the 
righteous  and  the  w  icked  in  this  world ;  we  have 
sufficient  reason  to  conclude,  that  tliere  is  a  part 
nn  man  which  is  immortal :  and  that  there  must 
be  a  future  state,  in  which  virtue  and  vice  will 

•  Psalm  xix.  1,  2,  3. 

t  Psalm  civ.  24.    If  any  person  shenid  think  »t  irregular, 

-to  bring  forward  passages  from  the  scriptures,  before  their 

authority  has  been  proved ;  it  may  be  observed,  that  these 

passages  are  not  advanced  as  arguments,  but  m  elucidations 

io  the  same  manner  as  any  other  writing  might  be  quoted* 


meet  with  their  respective  rewards,  in  a  more 
signal  manner  than  they  appear  to  receive  them 
in  this  life,  thus  showing  that  God  is  }mt  and 
equal  in  all  his  ways,  and  righteous  m  all  liia. 
thoughts. 

JBut,  notwithstanding  these  and  other  argu- 
ments, which  might  be  adduced  in  support  of 
those  two  first  principles  of  religion,  the  soul 
seems  most  fully  to  rest  upon  and  enjoy  them, 
when  they  are  felt  as  objects  of  faitii,  rather 
than  of  reason.     They  then  become  like  self- 
evident  truths,  for  which  our  own  feelings  are 
the  best  support,  and  which  act  in  concert  with 
that  declaration:  *'  Without  faith  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  please  God;  for  he  that  cometh  to  him 
must  believe  that  He  is ;  and  that  He  is  a  rc- 
warder  of  them  tliat  diligently  seek  him."*  And 
we  ought  ever  to  remember,  after  all  our  rea- 
sonings on  these  subjects,  that  "  Life  and  im- 
mortality are  brought  to  light  by  the  gosp€l."t 


♦  Heb.  xi.  6. 


t  2  Tim.  i.  10^ 


I  «• 


V  3 


ciup.  ii. 


©N  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTCREa 


j^aiure  and  Design  of  the  Scriptures. ^Thdr  claim  io 
our  regard  and  to  the  belief  of  their  being  divineli^ 
inspired. — Objections  answered^frst  to  their  Genu- 
ineness and  Truth — next  to  their  Inspiration,^^Ali 

related  of  good  men  not  intended  for  imitation. ^^ 
Jmpartiality  of  the   Scripture.^. — Great  judgment 

tiecessary  in  applying  them.--^ Possibility  of'  placing 

ioo  much  dependance  on  them.'^On  calling  them  the 

Word  of  God: 

These  writings  are  divided  into  two  parts^ 
the  Old  and  the  New  Testaments.  They  com- 
mence with  an  account  of  the  creation  of  the 
"world,  and  contain  a  history  of  more  than  four 
thousand  years.  Their  object  appears  to  be,  to 
-exhibit  the  various  dispensations  of  God  to 
mankind  ;  to  manifest  many  of  his  general  and 
particular  acts  of  Providence ;  to  show  the  good 
effects  of  religion  and  virtue ;  and  to  set  forth 
the  lamentable  evils  which  are  the  consequence 
•f  walkmg  in  the  paths  of  irreligion  and  pro- 
faneoess.    for  the  prevention  of  these  €vila»> 


ON   THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES. 


19 


the  scriptures  inculcate  those  principles  of  piety 
and  morality,  which  contribute  to  the  happiness 
of  mankind,  both  here  and  hereafter;  and  there 
is  not  any  general  duty,  religious  or  moral,  in 
which  they  do  not  afford  instruction  and  di- 
rection. 


The  scriptures  also  contain  many  remarkable 
predictions  concerning  nations  and  individuals, 
with  several  prophecies  of  the  coming  of  the 
Messiah,  and  of  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel. 
Ancient  history,  both  sacred  and  profane,  gives 
account  of  circumstances  which  show  the  ful- 
filling of  many  of  these  predictions;  and  the 
A^ew  Testament  particularly  relates  the  com- 
pletion of  those,  which  are  given  concerning 
"  Him,  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law  and  tlie 
prophets  did  write."* 

When  we  consider  who  were  the  writers  of 
these  volumes;  what  are  the  subjects,  and  what 
appear  to  be  the  objects  of  them;  they  claim,  at 
first  view,  a  high  degree  of  regard  and  esteem. 
But  when,  as  Christians,  we  believe  in  a  divine 
influence  and  direction,  we  find  abundant  cause 
to  conclude;  that  this  influence  was  extended 

*  John  i«  45r 


20 


ON   THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES. 


to  those  who  wrote  or  compiled  the  scriptures, 
and  therefore  believe  with  the  apostle  Paul, 
that  they  were  <*  given  by  inspiration  of  God;"* 
and  are  productive  of  those  important  advan- 
tages which  he  attaches  to  them. 

But  notwithstanding  the  strong  belief  which 
is  generally  entertained  of  the  truth  of  these 
writings,  and  of  their  having  been  communi- 
cated under  the  influence  of  divine  inspiration  9 
there  are  persons,  who  do  not  acknowledge  one 
or  both  of  these  claims  to  that  credibility  and 
reverence,  which  are  attached  to  the  scriptures. 
It  will  therefore  be  necessary  to  pay  some  atten- 
tion to  the  objections  advanced  by  these  persons; 
in  domg  which,  it  may  be  proper,  first  to  con- 
sider those  which  are  made  against  the  authen- 
ticity of  the  scriptures. 

These  objections  may  be  divided  mto  twa 
classes. 

1.  To  the  writings,  as  the  genuine  produc- 
tions of  the  authors  to  whom  they  are  ascribed. 

^.  To  the  works  themselves,  as  bebg  a  true 
history, 

•  Tim.  iii.  16. 


01^   THE   HOLY    SCRlPTrRES. 


SI 


With  respect  to  the  objection  against  their 
being  genuine,  in  relation  to  their  imputed 
authors,  if  it  could  in  some  cases  be  well  sup- 
ported, it  would  by  no  means  invalidate  either 
the  truth  or  the  inspiration  of  these  writings; 
because  the  books  do  not  always  declare  their 
authors.  Tliey  have,  however,  been  transmitted 
through  so  regular  a  channel  of  evidence,  by  .a 
people  for  whom  they  were  especially  written, 
and  by  whom  they  were  religiously  preserved, 
as  to  render  it  as  indubitable  as  any  thing  of  die 
kind  can  be,  that  they  were  written  by  those  to 
whom  they  are  ascribed.  In  some  cases  the 
authors  may  be  considered  as  dubious ;  and  see- 
ing that,  in  these  instances,  the  books  are  not 
imputed  in  scripture  to  any  individual,  no 
objection  can  reasonably  be  made  on  this 
ground. 


An  objection  is  sometimes  made  to  the  sup- 
posed author,  on  account  of  his  speaking  of 
himself  in  the  third  person ;  but  this  cannot 
have  much  weight,  when  it  is  considered  that  it 
is  a  mode  of  writing  not  peculiar  to  the  scrip- 
tures, but  has  been  adopted  by  various  historians, 
whose  works  have  been  generally  admitted  with- 
out disputation. 


no. 


ON    THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES. 


#N    THE    HOLY    SCRIPTURES, 


25 


Another  more  plausible  reason  for  disputing 
the  authors,  arises  from  some  places  being  men- 
tioned by  names,  which  appear  to  have  beea 
given  to  them  subsequent  to  the  alleged  writer's 
existence ;  or  from  saying,  that  a  place  is  culled 
by  a  particular  name  "  to  this  day,"  with  other 
similar   expressions.      Now  all   this   is   easily 
obviated  by  considering,  what  is  generally  ad- 
mitted, that,   after   the  Babylonian   captivity, 
Ezra  revised  the  Jewish  scriptures ;  and  it  ap- 
pears, that,  in  some  instances,  he  either  made 
use  of  modem  names,  or  added  remarks  of  his 
own  to  elucidate  the  history.    He  was  a  religious 
character,  and  one  whom  the  Jews  considered 
as  acting  under  divine  direction ;  they  therefore 
received  his  comments,  and  added  them,  if  he  did 
not  do  it  himself,  to  the  original  text.     Tliis  is 
a  fact  which  the  Jews  acknowledge,  and  whicli 
accounts  for  the  causes  of  this  objection  in 
such  a  manner,  as  must,  I  apprehend,  be  satis- 
factor}'  to  every  impaitial  mind. 

Tlie  account  of  the  death  of  Moses,  at  the 
end  of  Deuteronomy,  was  probably  added  by 
Joshua  dr  Samuel,  to  complete  the  history  of 
Closes  in  those  books  that  w  ere  w  ritten  by  him  ; 
and  is  a  circumstance,   which  no  reasonable 


i 


man,  who  is  acquainted  with  literary  publica- 
tions, would  make  a  groinid  of  objection  to  the 
authenticity  of  any  book.  i.. 

Nor  are  the  objections  to  tlie  ti'uth  of  the 
matters  related  in  the  holy  scriptures,  of  more 
^veight  than  those  alleged  against  their  authen- 
ticity. Tliey  arise  from  some  apparent  incon- 
sistencies of  one  part  with  another,  and  from  a 
supposed  difference  in  some  instances,  from 
other  histories. 

In  most  cases,  the  inconsistencies  objected 
are  only  in  appearance ;  they  may  be,  and  in- 
deed have  been,  removed  by  a  critical  examina- 
tion of  tlie  subjects ;  and  if  we  admit  a  few  to 
arise    from    incorrectness    in    transcribers    or 
translators,  surely  no  wise  man  would  consider 
-such  a  circumstance  as  a  reasonable  ground,  for 
rejecting  even  writings  much  less  autlienticated 
than  these.     As   to   the    few   variations   from 
other  w  riters,  if  they  cannot  otherwise  be  recon- 
ciled, a  fair  consideration  of  the  probability, 
which  of  them  had  the  best  means  of  informa- 
tion, will,  I  believe,  give  a  clear  preference  to 
the  sacred  historian.     But  the  scriptures  are  in 
general  found  to  be  well  supported  by  other 


u 


ON  THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURE*. 


authors;  and,  what  is  worthy  of  observation, 
the  completion  of  prophecies  recorded  in  various 
parts  of  holy  writ,  is  confiimed  by  profane 
historians  of  good  credit,  who,  it  must  be  ad- 
mitted, could  have  no  inducement  to  give  any 
unfair  testimony  in  their  favour.* 

That  some  verbal  difficulties  should  occur  in 
a  collection  of  books,  which  were  written  from 
more  than  one  thousand  seven  hundred,  to  up- 
wards of  three  thousand  years  ago,  and  which 
contain  a  history  of  above  four  thousand  years, 
is  what  may  reasonably  be  expected;  but  that 
writings  of  such  antiquity  should  come  down  to 
us  so  perfect  as  they  appear  to  be,  is  cause  of 
admiration ;  and,  considering  their  interesting 
importance,  of  gratitude  and  praise. 

Having,  I  hope,  sufficiently  obviated  the  most 
plausible  objectious,  that  are  made  against  the 
truth  and  credibility  of  the  scriptures,  the  next 
circumstance  to  be  considered  is  their  inspira- 
tion ;  by  which  I  understand,  that  the  writers  or 
compilers  were  influenced  by  the  Holy  Spirit 

*  For  the  truth  of  these  assertions,  see  Grotius  od  the 
Truth  of  the  Christum  Religion,  3  Sect.  14  and  16.  New* 
ton  on  the  Prophecies,  aod  Prettyman  on  the  Study  of  the 
Bible. 


ON    THE    HOLY   SCRIPTURES* 


fs 


m  communicating  these  writings.  A  considerable 
part  of  them  are  given  as  expiess  communica- 
tions from  tlie  Almighty  to  his  servants  and 
prophets  :  this,  if  we  admit  the  trutli  of  the 
relation,  determines  a  large  proportion  of  the 
bible  to  be  an  immediate  revelation,  which  is 
more,  as  to  the  degree,  than  is  necessarily  im- 
plied by  the  term  inspiration. 

Tlie  reasons  for  considering  these  writings, 
as  being  given  under  that  divine  influence  which 
is  called  inspiration,  are  the  following: 


1.— Tlie  characters  of  tlie  writers,  all  of 
whom,  that  we  can  ascertain,  were  men,  emi- 
nently endowed  with  divine  gifts ;  and  who 
appear  to  have  drawn  up  these  waitings  for  the 
use  and  edification  of  the  church  of  God ;  in 
doing  which  we  may  reasonably  conclude,  that 
his  assistance  would  be  sought  for  and  afforded. 

C— The  character  of  Ezra,  who,  besides 
being  tlie  writer  of  at  least  one  book,  collected 
the  various  writings  of  the  Old  Testament,  with 
the  exception  of  two  or  three  books  not  then 
written.*     His  character,  gifts,  and  motives,  all 

^  These  are  Nchemiah  and  Malachi,  and  perhaps  Estlier, 
witli  part  of  Chronicles.  They  are  generally  supposed  t* 
httve  been  added  by  §imoD  the  Just. 

C 


^s 


ON    THE    HOLY    SCRIPTUHES. 


ON    THE    HOLY    SCRIPTURE*. 


»t 


lead  us  to  the  same  conclusion  as  before ;  with 
this  addition,  that  as  the  occasion,  or  the  authors 
of  some  part  of  these  writings,  are  not  clearly 
ascertained,  Ezra's  compilation  under  divine 
jnHuence,  gives  an  additional  sanction  to  these 
"books. 


3. 


[.—The  testimony  of  the  apostle  Paul,  who 
says,  "  All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of 
God,    and  *   is  profitable  for  doctrine,"    &c. 

♦  I  am  aware,  that  some  persons  endeavour  to  set  aside 
the  force  of  4his  passage,  by  stating  that  one  Greek  manu- 
script omits  the  x«»^  in  English  and^  and  that  some  ancient 
Versions  have  no  word  equivalent  to  it ;  by  which  they 
vould  give  a  tlifferent  meaning  t«  the  passage.  In  answer 
to  this,  it  may  be  observed, 

1. — That  for  one  Greek  manuscript  which  want«  the  xos 
or  and,  there  are  great  numbers  which  have  it ;  and  that 
one  is  neither  so  ancient,  nor  of  so  good  credit  as  most  of 
the  others,  in  the  opinion  of  many  critics.  Now,  to  set  all 
other  manuscripts  aside,  and  prefer  a  single  and  less  authen- 
ticated reading,  with  two  or  three  translations,  which, 
though  they  may  be  ancient,  can  by  no  means  be  consi- 
dered of  equal  validity  with  so  many  copies  is  the  original 
tongue,  would  be  an  exercise  of  .criticism^  which  nothing 
but  a  partial  predilection  to  a  preconceived  opinion  wonid 
adopt.  Would  these  critics  admit  such  arguments  in  fa- 
Tonr  of  the  authenticity  of  1  John  v.  7? 

2. — The  context  requires  a  sense,  which  implies  that  the 
apostle  considered  that  all  which  he  had  just  called  the  holy 
ftcriptures  were  inspired.     Ancient  coKtmeatators,  evejn 


When  we  consider  the  opportunities  and  abili- 
ties of  the  apostle,  for  judging  in  such  a  case 
(to  say  nothing  of  his  own  inspiration)  his  testl- 

those  who  have  made  use  of  the  versions  which  have  not  the 
and,  still  consider  the  passage  as  implying,  that  the  whole 
scripture  was  divinely  inspired.    So  that  supposing  (what 
however  is  not' admitted)  that  the  xa»  was  not  in  the  ori- 
ginal, the  sense  is  still  the  same.    For  the  radre  dear  elu- 
cidation of  the  subject;  Tet  us  read  the  whole  passage,  as 
these  objectors  would  render  it.    "  From  a  Child  thoa 
hast  known  the  holy  scriptures,  which  are  able  to  make 
thee  wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
JesQS.    All  scripture  (or  every  writing)  given  by  Inspira- 
tion of  God,  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  cor- 
rection, for  instruction  in  righteousness  :  that  the  man  of 
God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good 
vorks."  Now  every  one  that  reads  this  passage  impartially, 
and  considers  the  construction  of  the  sentences  correctly, 
must,  I  appreliend,  adrnft,  that  the  holy  scriptures,  men- 
tioned in  the  beginning  of  the  paragraph,  are  included  in 
the  general  observations  respecting  "  all  scripture  given  by 
inspiration,"  or  tliat  "  all  scripture  given  by  inspiration," 
only  alluded  to  "  the  holy  scriptures"  mentioned  just  be- 
fore.   In  either  case  the  inference  is  clear,  that  the-scrip"* 
tures  of  the  Old  Testament,  which  are  all  that  were  then 
called  the  holy  scriptures,  were  considered  by  the  apostle 
as  divinely  inspired ;  and  as  answering  to  the  character  he 
gives  in  tlie  16th  verse.     It  may  be  further  observed,  that, 
without  the  xa»,  the  passage  may  be  translated  thus:  *'  all 
(or  the  whole)  scripture  being  divinely  inspired,  is  profit- 
able," &c.    Even  the  Latin  Vulgate,  which  is  one  of  the 
"Versions  brought  forward  as  favouring  the  omission  of  the 


ss 


ON    THE   HOLY    SCRIPTURES?. 


ON    THE   HOLY    SCRIPTURES, 


29 


mony  appears  to  be  an  insurmountable  argo- 
ment  in  favour  of  those  writings,  concerning 
which  he  made  this  declaration. 

«nJ,  will  bear  this  rendering:  "  Omnis  scriptnra,  diviniUis 
inspirata,  utilis  est/'  &c. 

3.— Tlie  sense  is,  however,  more  clear  and  unequivocal, 
hy  the  well  supported  reading  of  the  word  kx%  or  andf  aa 
giv«n  iu  our  trauRlation.  This  lense  contains  the  reason 
■why  the  holy  scriptures  were  able  to  make  Timothy  wise 
unto  salvation;  but  supposing  the  meaning  simply  to  be, 
that  all  scripture  which  is  divinely  inspired,  is  profitable, 
&c.  without  any  connection  with  the  preceding  verse,  the 
position  would  become  an  unconnected  truism ;  as  no  doubt 
fiould  be  entertained,  that  all  scripture  which  was  divinely 
inspired,  was  thus  profitable.  Besides,  this  meaning  would 
leave  Timothy,  and  every  other  re«ider,  in  uncertainty, 
which  part  of  the  scripture  was,  and  which  was  not  in* 
ypired  :  it  offers  no  rule  to  distinguish  them.  But  had  this 
been  the  apostle's  meaning,  there  was  a  fair  occasion,  and 
indeed  a  call  upon  him,  to  oflfer  some  means  of  distinction. 

From  all  these  considerations,  I  am  induced  to  believe, 
ll.at  ihe  conslrnctiuu  given  by  our  translalors.  is  support- 
able, not  only  by  nearly  all  tUe  Greek  manuscripts,  but  by 
the  just  rules  of  criticism;  and  by  every  other  reasonable 
consideration  of  wliich  the  subject  is  capable.  See  this 
matter  farther  cUscnsscd  by  Findlay,  on  the  Inspiration  of 
the  Jewish  Scriptures,  in  answer  to  Dr.  Geddes. 

For  the  sake  of  some  of  my  readers,  it  may  be  proper  to 
take  notice  of  an  objection,  which  has  been  made  from 
Robert  Barclay  havinji,  in  his  apology,  quoted  the  passage 
without  the  and :  "  All  seripUire  given  by  inspiration  of 


4. — Although  the  latter  arguments  are  appli- 
cable only  to  the  Old  Testament ;  yet  the  lirst 
relates  to  both;  and  it  is  presumed,  that  none 
but  Jews,  who  acknowledge  the  inspiration  of 
the  Old  Testament,  will  deny  it  to  the  New. 
The  exception  which  the  apostle  Paul  makes 
in  an  instance  or  two,  to  his  w  riting  by  com- 
mandment, is  a  proof  of  his  writings  at  least 
being  divinely  inspired^ 

After  giving  these  reasons,  I  shall  proceed  to^ 
consider  the  principal  objections  to  this  inspira- 
tion, which  1  apprehend  to  be,. 

God  is  profitable,"  &c.  In  answer  to  this,  it  may  he  ol^ 
8erved^  that  Robert  Barclay  originally  wrote  and  pub* 
lished  his  apology  in  Latin,  and  I  believe  generally  quoted 
the  texts  of  scripture  from  the  Latin  Vulgate,  of  which  this 
is  a  translation.  Even  supposing  him  to  have  preferred 
this  rendering,  yet,  if  we  may  judge  from  what  he  has  writ- 
ten on  the  srripturefl,  there  is  no  reason  to  believe,  he 
doubted  the  inspiration  of  any  part  of  them.  He  begins 
his  Thesis  on  the  Scriptures  thus:  "  From  these  revelations 
of  the  spirit  of  GoJ  to  the  saints,  have  proceeded  the 
Scriptures  of  truth ;"  and  this  he  applies  to  the  historical,  as 
well  as  the  prophetical,  doctrinal,  and  exhortat(u-y  parts  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  importance  of  the  subject  of  this 
note,  will  excuse  its  length.  To  have  incorporated  it  in> 
the  body  of  the  work,  would  not  have  been  so  suitablti  for 
many  readers. 

c  5 


II 


■3<J 


ON  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURE^. 


ON  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


n 


1. — ^That  some  of  the  matters  related,  are  of 
too  trivial  a  nature,  to  be  the  subjects  of  divine 
inspiration. 

2. — That  some  others  appear  so  inconsistent 
:ivith  the  nature  of  the  Divine  Being,  as  to  ren- 
der it  altogether  improbable,  that  he  ever  war* 
ranted  what  is  there  expressed. 

With  respect  to  the  first  objection,  I  believe 
Ave  are  by  no  means  competent  judges.     The 
Old  Testament,  to  which  this  objection  may  be 
principally  made,  was  not  primarily  written  for 
us  of  the  present  day ;   but  for  a  people,  who 
liad    many  pecidiar   customs   and   ceremonies, 
and  to  whom  many  things  might  be  nnportant, 
that  to  us  may  appear  of  a  triHing  nature.    Nor 
is  it  improbable,  that  much  of  what  these  ob- 
jectors consider  as  trifling,    may  to  others  of 
their  contemporaries,   be   both  important  and 
instructive.     Tlie  pious  and  humble  mind  will 
often  derive  instruction  from  many  of  the  works 
of   Divine   Providence,    which    may  Jbe    over- 
looked by  the  vain  and  fastidious,  as  not  worthy 
of  their  notice. 

Tlie  second  objection,  it  is  apprehended,  is 
meant  principally  to  apply  to  those  passages  'm 


the  Old  Testament,  where  the  Almighty  is  re- 
presented as  authorising  the  destruction  of  man 
by  man.  This  is  an  objection  not  only  to  the 
inspiration,  but  to  the  truth  of  the  scriptures ; 
and  though  it  appears  to  be  the  strong  hold  of 
the  enemies  of  the  bible,  it  is  by  no  means  im* 
pregnable.  It  has,  indeed,  been  often  attacked 
and  reduced ;  but  such  is  their  fondness  for  it, 
that  they  are  continually  rebuilding  and  resort- 


nig  to  It. 


In  replying  to  this  objection,  it  may  be  pro- 
per, first,  to  consider  the  command  of  God  to 
Abraham,  to  offer  up  his  son  Isaac,  which  has 
been  much  insisted  on,  as  favouring  human 
sacrifices,  and  as  an  argument  agamst  the  scrip- 
tures. It  stands  recorded  as  a  trial  of  Abra- 
ham's faith;  and  as,  after  his  iuii  resignation, 
his  hand  was  stayed  from  the  pertormance  of 
the  act ;  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive  what  infe- 
rence can  be  drawn  from  this  circumstance, 
derogatory  to  the  character  of  the  Divine 
Being,  or  of  those  writings  which  represent  him 
as  putting  the  righteous  patriarch's  love  and 
obedience  to  this  great  trial.     Had  the  sacrifice 

I 

been  actually  made,  the  objection  to  it  might 
have  had  more  appearance  of  validity;  but  as 
the  case  is  represented;  and  no  doubt  rightly 


$^  ON    THE   HOLY    SCRIPTURES^ 

represented,  it  appears  to  afford  aii  argument 
against,  rather  than  foi*,  human  sacrifices.  Tlie 
conduct  of  Abraham  is  mentioned,  both  in  the 
Old  and  the  New  Testament,  with  the  most 
marked  approbation ;  and  it  has  obtained  for 
the  obedient  patriarch  the  distinguished  charac- 
ter of  "  the  friend  of  God."  * 

The  command  given  to  the  Israelites,  to  make 
war  on  the  Canaanites,  and  to  destroy  them,  is 
an  objection,  which,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive, 
can  be  seriously  urged  by  those  who  consider 
war  to  be  lawful,  even  under  the  Christian  dis* 
penaation.     War  is  generally  allowed  to  be  one 
of  those  judgments,  by  which  Divine  Providence 
hulh  often  afflicted  a  guilty  nation;  and,  in  the 
instances  on  which  the  objection  is  founded, 
this  appears  to  have  been  remarkably  the  case. 
Tliey  were  indeed  judgments  which  had  been 
mercifully  protracted.     Thiw  we  read,  that  tlie 
possession  of  the  promised  land  by  Abraham, 
©r  his  posterity,  was  deferred  for  several  genera- 
tions, because   "  the  iniquity  of  the  Amorites 
was  not  yet  full  ;"t  although  there  is  reason  to 
believe  from  this  expression,  as  well  as  from 
other  circumstances,  tliat  their  sins  were  then 
very  great.     This  is  farther  elucidated  by  the 
•  James  ii.  20,  t  Gen,  xv.  16, 


ON    THE    HOLY    SCRIPTURES. 


3^ 


command  given  to  the  Israelites,  to  abstain  front 
many  evil  practices,  (some  of  them  of  the 
grossest  kind)  of  which  the  nations  whom  they 
w^ere  to  expel,  were  guilty.  These  Moses 
plainly  mentions  as  the  cause  of  their  expulsion ; 
warning  the  Israelites  at  the  same  time  against 
similar  conduct,  which  would  produce  similar 
judgments.  "  Defile  not  ye  yourselves  in  any 
of  these  things ;  for  in  all  these  things  the  na- 
tions are  defiled,  which  I  cast  out  before  you. 
And  the  land  is  defiled ;  therefore  I  do  visit  the 
iniquity  thereof  upon  it ;  and  the  land  itself 
vomiteth  out  her  inhabitants.  Ye  shall  there- 
fore keep  my  statutes  and  my  judgments,  and 
shall  not  commit  any  of  these  abominations; 
that  the  land  spue  not  you  out  also,  when  ye 
defile  it,  as  it  spued  out  the  nations  that  were 
before  you."* 


This  subject  is  also  placed  in  a  clear  and 
forcible  point  of  view  by  the  remonstrance  of 
Moses,  as  related  in  the  ninth  chapter  of  Deu- 
teronomy; where,  after  cautioning  the  people 
against  any  presumptuous  conceits  of  their  own 
merits,  he  expres^sly  says  to  them:  "  Not  for 
tliy  righteousness,  or  for  the  uprightness  of  thy 

•  Lev.  xviii.  24. 


S4 


ON    THE   HOLY    SCRIPTURES. 


«rN    THE    HOLY    SCRIPTURES. 


3i» 


«t 


heart,  dost  thou  go  to  possess  the  land ;  but  for 
the  wickedness  of  tliese  nations,  doth  tlie  Lord 
tliy  God  drive  tliem  out  before  thee."* 


The  case  of  Agag  has  also  been  brought  foe- 
ward  to  support  the  objection,  \vhich  we  have 
now  under  consideration  v  but  in  this  instance 
we  have  again  a  cause  assigned  for  the  judg^ 
ment   executed:   "As   thy   sword   hath   made 
women  childless,  so  shall  thy  mother  be  childr 
less  among  women."t     From  this  expression 
there  is  reason  to  suppose,  that  Agag  had  beea 
remarkable  for  his  violence  and  cruelty,  which 
brought  this  judgment  justly  upon  him. 

It  has  been  alleged,  that  these  pretensions  to 
Divine  commands  were  only  a  cloak  for  ambt- 
tion  and  cruelty.  But  this  cannot  reasonably 
be  supposed  to  be  the  case,  when  it  is  consi-^ 
dered  that  thase  judgments  were  not  confined  to 
the  heathen  nations;  but  that  similar  ones  were 
also  threatened  and  executed  upon  the  Israelites 
themselves.  Although  they  were  a  people  dis- 
tinguished  by  many  peculiar  favours ;  yet,  when 
they  departed  from  the  law  and  commandment 
of  their  God,  and  degenerated  into  idolatry  and 


*  Dcat.  ix.  5. 


t  \  Sam.  xvi.  33. 


'S\ickedness,  they  became  the  subjects  of  divine, 
retribution.  Thus  the  prophet  Isaiah  expostu- 
lates with  them :  "  Who  gave  Jacob  for  a  spoil, 
and  Israel  to  the  robbei'  ?  Did  not  the  Lord,  he 
against  whom  we  have  sinned  ?  For  they  would 
not  walk  in  his  ways,  neither  were  they  obedi- 
ent to  his  law;  therefore  he  hath  poured  upon 
him  the  fury  of  his  anger,  and  the  strength  of 
battle/'*  Even  Moses,  their  leader  in  these 
supposed  schemes  of  ambition,  denounced,  iu 
the  most  ample  manner,  the  judgments,  whicli 
would  be  the  consequence  of  their  disobedience 
to  the  law  of  their  God.— See  Lev.  xxvi.  14,  &c, 
Deut.  xxviii.  15,  &c. 

When  we  consider  (he  peculiar  humility  and 
disinterestedness  of  Moses,  in  refusing  to  be 
called  the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter;  in  the 
great  reluctance  with  which  he  accepted  the 
government  of  the  Israelites ;  in  preferring  their 
forgiveness  and  preservation  to  his  own  aggran- 
disement, or  that  of  his  family ;  and  in  the  singu- 
lar liberality  which  he  manifested  when  Eldad 
and  Medad  were  complained  of,  for  prophesying 
itt  the  camp ;  when  these  circumstances  are  con- 
sidered,  there  seems   no   ground  whatever  to 

■•  Isaiah  xlii,  2*. 


'.6 


ON    THE    HOLY   SCRIPTURES^ 


suspect  Moses  of  either  ambition  or  cruelty; 
\ve  perceive,  on  the  contrary,  the  propriety  of 
the  distinguished  character  given  of  him,  most 
probably  by  some  pious  transcriber  of  the  Pen- 
tateuch :  "  Now  ihe  man  Moses  was  very 
meek,  above  all  the  men  which  lived  ou  the 
face  of  the  earth."* 

In  considerius  the  various  circumstances 
connected  widi  this  su Inject,  there  appears  to 
be  abundant  cause  to  acknowledge  that  the 
Lord's  w  ays  are  equal,  and  that  those  judgments 
upon  the  Canaanites  were  not  the  exercise  of  a 
capricious  severity ;  but  administered  under  cir- 
cumstances, which  perfectly  reconcile  them  to 
those  principles  of  justice  and  mercy,  which 
we  consider  among  the  most  distinguished  attri- 
butes of  the  Deity.  And  though,  in  many 
instances,  the  innocent  may  seem  to  suffer 
equally  with  the  guilty,  yet  this  is  no  more  than 
is  generally  the  case  in  other  public  calamities. 
Even  in  those  most  remarkable  ones,  the  uni- 
versal deluge,  and  the  destruction  of  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  many  innocent  children  must 
liave  suffered  with  their  guilty  parents.  Ih 
v^nsidering  these  cases,  we  should  remember^ 

*  lumbers  xU.  3, 


dX  THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES. 


37 


iTiat  whatever  public  afflictions  may  be  directed 
for  the  punishment  of  nations,  it  is  in  a  future 
life  that  the  grand  distinction  is  made  between 
individuals;  when  "  God  will  render  to  every 
*nau  according  to  his  deeds."  * 


If  some  of  those,  who,  with  myself,  consider 
war  altogether  inconsistent  with  the  Christiaa 
dispensation,  should  ai^gue  from  the  unchange.* 
ableness  of  the  Divine  nature,  that  the  Almighty 
could  not  allow  of,  or  enjoin  practices,  in  one 
age,  which  are  inconsistent  in  another ;  it  may 
and  ought  to  be  observed,  that,  in  his  dispensa- 
tions to  mankind,  great  variety  is  evident ;  and 
many  things  which  were  not  only  allowed,  but 
commanded,  in  former  times,  and  under  different 
circumstances,  would  now  be  improper. 

It  also  appears,  that  when  our  blessed  Lord 
«et  forth  the  peaceablenes  of  the  gospel  dispen- 
sation, he  showed  that  a  contrary  conduct  had 
been  more  than  permitted  in  former  times;  and 
unless  we  intend  to  controvert  the  propriety  of 
the  manner,  in  which  the  Author  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion  propagated  it,  we  must  allow,  that 
^here  have  bc^  times,  in  which  divers  things 

»  Rom.  ii.  6. 


.3ft 


ON  THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES^ 


ON   THE    HOLY    SCRIPTURES, 


s§ 


:  i 
y 


were  lawful  that  are  now  unlawful ;  and  tbus  wo. 
may  reconcile  the  consistency  of  the  Jewish  wars 
with  the  divine  will.  "  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath 
been  said,  an  eye  for  an  eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a 
tooth;  but  I  say  unto  you,  resist  not  evil,^ 
Again,  "  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said, 
thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour,  and  hate  thine 
enemy;*  but  I  say  unto  you,  love  your  enemies," 
&€.*'  Now,  when  we  .consider  the  expressions 
just  cited,  and  observe  the  obvious  difference 
they  make  between  tbe  dispensations  of  the  law 
and  of  the  gospel ;  we  may  find  abundant  reason 
to  believe,  that  it  was  not  inconsistent  with  the 
Divine  nature  and  will,  to  command  those  things 
-which  are  related  respecting  th^  wars  of  the 
Jews. 

If  any  credibility  is  due  to  the  wrifmgs  off 
Moses,  and  they  have  all  the  claim  to  credibility 
which  writings  of  that  antiquity  well  can  have ; 
it  is  evident  that  those  wars  v^iece  commanded 
by  the  Almighty.  And  when  we  consider,  that 
we  have  no  less  suppojt  for  the  authority  of 
Moses  than  our  Lord  himself;  that  he  and  his 

•  Tlie  words  "  bate  tbine  enemy,"  do  not  appear  in  the 
Old  Testament;  perhaps  they  were  added  by  the  scribes 
as  a  -Iv.ss;  howpver,  onr  Lord,  by  his  recital,  acknowledges 
them  as  not  iaconsisteai  with  Uiefwmer  dispeasation» 


apostles  mention  him  with  evidient  tokens  of 
their  considering  him  divinely  directed;  we 
must,  in  denying  the  authority  of  Moses,  also 
deny  that  of  Christ  and  his  apostles.  A  conse- 
quence, from  the  idea  of  which  every  Christian 
must  revolt* 

Let  us,  therefore,  be  content  with  that  evi- 
dence of  the  divine  will  which  is  afforded  us ; 
and  rather  than  impugn  the  former  dispensa- 
tions of  God  to  mankind,  be  thankful  to  him 
for  having  introduced  one  so  much  more  excel- 
lent, in  which  "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest," 
is  peculiarly  united  with  "  Peace  on  earth,  and 
good  will  to  men." 

But  whilst  I  have  been  endeavouring  to  re- 
move these  objections,  I  have  regretted  that 
there  should  be  any  necessity  thus  to  "  justify 
the  ways  of  God  to  men,"  as  recorded  in  holy 
writ,  and  to  endeavom*  to  support  the  cause  of 
that  Omnipotent  Being,  whose  prerogative  alone 
it  is,  "  that  he  giveth  no  account  of  any  of  his 
matters."  He  has,  notwithstanding,  as  far  as 
different  circumstances  will  permit,  conde- 
scended to  adapt  his  dispensations  towards 
mankind,  to  those  principles  of  wisdom,  justice^ 

D  3 


w 


ON  ^IJE   IIOIV   SCRIPTURES* 


and  mercv,  wliich  are  the  rules  of  our  conduct 
towards  each  other.  If,  in  some  instances,  we 
cannot  perceive  this  consistency,  tlie  infinite 
dispaiity  between  the  Divine  Being  and  his 
creature  man,  might  reasonably  induce  us  to 
expect  difficulties  of  this  kind ;  and  surely  the 
ivisdom,  no  more  than  the  faith,  of  those  is  to 
be  admired,  who  reject  every  thing  respecting 
au  Infinite  Being,  that  does  not  comport  witli 
their  finite  capacities.  "  Canst  thou,  by  search- 
ing, find  out  God  ?  Canst  thou  find  out  the 
Almighty  to  perfection  ?  It  is  as  high  as  heaven  ; 
what  canst  thou  do?  Deeper  than  hell;  what 
canst  thou  know  ?  The  measure  thereof  is  longer 
than  the  earth,  and  broader  than  the  sea.  If  he 
cut  off,  and  shut  up,  and  gather  together,  then 
who  can  hinder  himr"* 


But  in  admitting  the  holy  scriptures,  to  have 
been  communicated  to  us  under  Divine  in- 
fluence or  inspiration,  it  is  not  necessary  to 
consider  all  that  is  related  hi  them,  concerning 
even  those  whose  general  conduct  might  entitle 
them  to  the  character  of  good  men,  as  intended 
for  our  imitation.  In  many  instances,  indeed, 
their  conduct  is  very  properly  and  unpartiully 

*  Job  xi.  7, 


ON   THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES. 


41 


censured;  and  this  impartiality  constitutes  one 
of  the  many  excellencies  of  tlie  bible.  But 
there  are  also  circumstances  simply  related, 
without  any  comment,  which  it  is  by  no  means 
requisite  to  consider  as  related  with  appro ba^^ 
tion,  or  authorising  a  similar  conduct  in  us.  A 
close  and  critical  examination  of  some  of  these 
cases,  would  probably  remove  much  of  the 
impression  which  a  slighter  consideration  may 
have  sometimes  produced.  At  any  rate,  neither 
the  sacred  historian,  nor  that  inspiration  under 
which  he  is  supposed  to  write,  is  chargeable 
with  such  circumstances. — Here,  however,  we 
have  again  occasion  for  the  exercise  of  our 
gratitude,  in  that  it  has  pleased  Divine  Provi- 
dence to  give  us  an  existence  under  a  dispensa- 
tion, which  requires  singular  degrees  of  purity 
and  uprightness  of  conduct ;  and  which  exceeds 
all  former  ones  in  the  excellence  of  its  morality, 
as  well  as  in  the  peculiar  peaceableness  of  its 
principles,  and  the  spirituality  of  its  worship* 


Great  judgment  is  also  necessary  in  applying 
the  scriptures  to  the  support  of  religious  doc- 
trines and  observances.  These  have  been,  I  ap- 
prehend, sometimes  adopted  from  what  may  be 
Hither  incidentally  mentioned;  tb^  inculcated; 

P  3 


43 


ON  I'HE   IIOLY   SCRIPTURrS* 


ON   THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES. 


4^ 


f 


111  considering  the  scriptures,  and  endeavouring 
to  build  systems  upon  them,  it  requires  great 
care  to  distinguish  those  things  which  are  uni- 
versal and  essential,  from  such  as  are  only  of  a 
temporary  or  local  nature.  For  want  of  an  at- 
tention of  this  kind,  many  unproHtable  disputes, 
(to  say  no  worse  of  them)  have  arisen  among 
the  professors  of  Christianity;  and  much  un- 
necessary  stress  has  been  laid  on  things  which  tha 
Christian  religion  does  not  enjoin  or  require. 

Highly  however  as  those  writings  are  to  bo 
-valued,  and  highly  indeed  we  do  esteem  them, 
tliere  is  not  only  a  possibility,  but  a  danger  of 
placing  too  much  dependence  upon  them,  by 
preferring  them  to  that  Divine  Spirit  from, 
inhich  they  proceed,  to  which  they  direct  our 
attention,  and  by  which  only  they  can  be  rightly, 
opened  to  our  understandings,  llius  the  Jews- 
in  the  days  of  our  blessed  Saviour's  personal 
appearance  on  earth,  paid  great  attention  to  the; 
scriptures;  and  at  the  same  time  did  not  believe 
in  Him,  "  of  whom  Mosesin  the  law,  and  the 
prophets  did  write."  On  tliis  account  our  Lord 
jeproves  them  in  this  manner:  "  Search  (or,  ye 
search)  the  scriptures  ;  for  in  them  ye  think  ye 
ka\e  eternal  life  5  and  they  are  they  which  testify 


of  me ;  and  ye  will  not  come  unto  me,  that  yc 
might  have  life."  Now,  that  from  which  the 
scriptures  proceeded,  and  to  which  they  amply 
bear  witness  as  the  means  of  salvation,  is  what 
"we  apprehend  there  is  a  danger  of  neglecting ; 
and  thereby  of  dwelling  upon  the  letter,  without 
a  proper  regard  to  the  Spirit;  a  danger  against 
"wh^ch  the  scriptures  themselves  contain  many 
salutary  cautions. 

There  is  also  a  name  by  which  the  holy 
scriptures  are  frequently  distinguished,  which 
appears  to  be,  in  divers  respects,  exceptionable, 
namely,  **  The  Word  of  God."  This  is  an  ap- 
pellation which  is  otherwise  applied  in  those 
writings;  and  it  tends  to  create  a  confusion  of 
ideas,  unnecessarily  to  denominate  several  sub- 
jects by  the  same  name.  Christ  is  called, 
"  Tlie  Word  of  God."*  The  term  f  is  also 
applied  to  that  holy  principle  or  spirit,  by  which 
he  carries  on  the  work  of  salvation  in  the  hearts 
of  true  Christians;  and  frequently  to  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel;  but  by  applying  it  to  the 
sacred  writhigs,  a  misapplication  of  passages  in 
them  is  frequently  occasioned.  That  these  writ- 
ings contain  the  words  of  God,  we  readily  ad^^ 

•  John  i.  1,  &c.        Rev.  xix.  13. 
t  Heb,  iv.  12i  1  Pet,  i.  23-,  X  John  ii.  l4 


u 


ON   THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES. 


If. 


mit;  but  we  think  it  safest,  as  well  as  most 
proper,  to  designate  them  by  that  appellation, 
by  which  the  apostle  Paul  has  distinguished 
them;  and  by  way  of  priority  to  all  other  writ- 
ings, to  style  them,  The  Holy  Scriptures. 
Concerning  these  writings  we  believe  with  this 
apostle,  that  they  were  "  given  by  inspiration  of 
God;  and  are  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  re- 
proof, for  correction,  for  instruction  in  rigK* 
teousness;  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect 
thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works."* 


•«TilD,iii.l^, 


CIIJP.  IIL 
ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  RELIGION. 

The  Fall  of  Man  and  the  Promise  of  a  Redeemer.'^ 
Different  modes  of  divine  communication  to  Man.-^ 
Prospects  and  prophecies  of  the  Gospel  Dai/. — Christ 
comes  among  the  Jews.'-^The  benrfits  of  his  coming 
designed  to  be  unit ersal, '^Objects  of  his  coming  re- 
capitulated. -^Christian  redemption  a  work  of  love.-^ 
Divinity  of  Christ  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit, — On  the 
Trinity  —  Justification  —  Resvrrection  —  Arguments 
and  Evidences  of  Christianity .^^The  true  and  perfect 
Christian. 

JrJlAVING  vindicated  the  truth  and  divine 
authority  of  the  Scriptures,  we  next  proceed  to 
consider  the  most  important  doctrines  of  the 
Christian  religion. 

Man  having,  by  disobedience  to  the  divine 
command,  lost  that  state  of  innocence  and  purity 
in  whicli  he  was  originally  created ;  and  having 
thereby  subjected  himself  and  his  offspring  to 
sin  and  misery ;  it  pleased  his  gracious  and  mer- 
ciful Creator,  in  the  riches  of  his  love,  early  to 
point  out,  and  to  promise  a  Redeemer.  This 
vas  done  at  the  very  time  when  sentence  was 


4G 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION, 


«fN  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


4t 


pronounced  on  our  first  parents  for  their  trans- 
gression; for  then  their  tempter  and  seduced 
received  this  judgment :  "  I  will  put  enmity  be- 
tween thee  and  the  woman ;  and  between  thy 
seed  and  her  seed ;  it  shall  bruise  thy  head,  and 
thou  shalt  bruise  his  hee^."* 

But  notwithstanding  the  promise  was  thus^ 
early  made,  many  ages  elapsed  before  it  pleased 
God  completely  to  fulfil  it:  during  which  time, 
however,  he  did  not  leave  mankind  wholly,  to 
themselves ;  but,  by  the  ministration  of  angels, 
by  that  holy  Spirit  which  w  as  more  plentifully  to 
be  poured  forth  in  the  Christian  dispensation, 
and  by  other  means,  he  communicated  his  will 
to  the  children  of  men;  striving  with  and  re- 
proving the  ungodly  because  of  their  iniquities 
as  well  as  exhorting  and  comforting  the  righteous 
under  those  trials,  unto  \\'hich  this  probationary 
state,  and  in  some  instances,  the  love  and  the 
fear  of  their  God,  rendered  them  liable.  Typi- 
cal offerings  and  sacrifices  for  sin  were  alsa 
established,  in  allusion  to  that  one  offering,  by 
which  "  he  hath  now  perfected  for  ever  them 
that  are  sanctified. "-f 

Among  other  sources  of  consolation,  was  the 
prospect,  which  was  at  times  given  to  the  patrL- 
*  Gen.  iii.  15^  t  Heb.  x.  14, 


arohs  and  prophets,  of  the  day  of  Christ,  and  of 
the  excellence  of  his  dispensation;  concerning 
iivhich  we  have  many  predictions  left  upoa 
record,  abundantly  setting  forth  those  advan- 
tages which  were  designed  to  mankind  by  him, 
whom  we  have  represented  to  us  as  the  Sent  of 
tiie  Father.  By  these  prophecies,  as  well  as  by 
the  types  of  the  Mosaic  law,  the  nunds  of  many 
were  gradually  prepared  for  the  reception  of 
the  promised  Messiah ;  and  many  there  appear 
to  have  been,  wlio,  with  Simeon  and  Anna, 
**  waited  for  the  consolation  of  Israel,  and  look- 
.ed  for  redemption  in  Jerusalem,"*  by  the  com- 
ing of  him,  who  was  peculiarly  prophesied  of 
^  "  a  light  to  lighten  the  gentiles,"  as  well  as 
for  **  the  glory  of  his  people  Israel." 

Thus,  *'  when  the  fulness  of  the  time  was 
come,  God  sent  forth  his  Son,  made  of  a  wo- 
man, made  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that 
were  under  the  law,"t  from  those  ceremonious 
observances,  which  were  designed  to  be  as  a 
"  schoolmaster  to  bring  them  to  Christ." j:  Yet 
the  great  object  of  Christ's  coming  was  by  no 
means  confined  to  the  Jewish  people ;  amongst 

•  Luk€  ii.  25,  38. 

t  Isaiah  xlii.  6.    Luke  ii.  32.    Gal.  iv.  4. 

;  Gal.  iii.  21. 


<% 


43 


ON'  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGIOJTi 


whom,  and  by  whom,  he  suffered  that  igno-* 
minious  death,  by  which  it  hath  pleased  God 
(and  surely  it  ought  to  suffice  us,  that  it  has 
thus  pleased  liim)  "  to  reconcile  all  things  to 
himself."* 

Tlie  evangelical   prophet,  above  seven  hun- 
dred years  before   our  Saviour's   personal   ap- 
pearance on  earth,  speaking  in  the  name  of  the 
Almighty,   declares,   "  It  is  a  light  thing,  that 
thou  shouldst  be  my  servant,  to  raise  up  the 
tribes  of  Jacob,  and  to  restore  the  preserved  of 
Israel :   I  will  also  give  thee  for  a  light  to  the 
Gentiles,  that  thou  mayest  be  my  salvation  unto 
the  end  of  the  earth."t     Consonant  with  this 
gracious'  prediction,  are  these  declarations  of 
the  apostle  John,  "  In  him  was  life;   and  the 
life   was   the  light  of  men.'^     "  That  was  the 
true  light,  which  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh 
into  the  w  orld.":j:     "  He  is  the  propitiation  for 
our  sins;  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the 
sins  of  the  whole  world. "§     Many  are  the  pro- 
phecies concerning  the  univei'sal  extent  of  the 
benefits  of  Christ's  coming,  the  accomplishment 
of  which  is  fully  borne  witness  to  by  the  writers 
of  the  Is'ew  Testament.     This  is  particularly 

♦  Cei,  i.  20,         t  Isaiah  xlix.  6.        *  John  i.  4,  9, 

i  1  Joha  ii.  ?• 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    BELIGION. 


49 


and  frequently  done  by  Paul,  who,  being  in  an 
especial  manner  the  apostle  of  tlie  Gentiles,  has 
abundantly  set  forth,  "  that  the  Gentiles  should 
be  fellow-heirs,  and  of  the  same  body,  and  par- 
takers of  the  promise  in  Christ  Jesus  by  the 
Gospel.*'*  Thus  was  broken  down  that  parti- 
tion wall,  which  formerly  existed  between  Jews 
nnd  Gentiles ;  all  were  united  in  one  common 
cause;  and  all  had  an  equal  interest  in  him, 
witli  whom  "  there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew ; 
circumcision  nor  uncircumcision ;  barbarian, 
Scythian,  bond  nor  free ;  male  nor  female  ;  but 
Christ  is  all,  and  in  all;  and  all  are  one  ia 
Christ.^'t 

From  what  has  already  been  expressed,  it 
appears  evident,  that  the  love  of  God,  in  send- 
ing his  Son  into  the  world,  was  not  limited  txj 
any  part  of  it ;  but  that  the  benefits  were  de- 
signed to  extend  as  far  as  the  effects  -of  Adam's 
transgression.  This  the  apostle  shows  in  the 
5th  chapter  of  the  epistle  to  the  Romans;  and 
itti  another  epistle,  speaking  of  the  resurrection 
of  the  dead,  be  asserts,  that,  "  as  in  Adam  all 
die,  even  so  ia  Qirist  shall  all  be  made  alive." ;{: 
It  affojds  one  of  the  most  encouraging  consi- 

*  Ephcs.  iii,  6.        t  Col.  iii.  ii.    Gal,  iii.  28. 

t  X  Cor.  XT.  22. 

£ 


50 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


51 


m 


^ 


derations,  that  these  benefits  are  thus  unlimited; 
and  that,  through  the  propitiatory  sacrifice  of 
our  blessed  Redeemer;  and  by  that  Spirit,  the 
more  plentiful  effusion  of  \^hich  he  hath  pur- 
chased for  mankind;  the  advantages  resulting 
from  his  death  may  be  received,  even  by  those, 
Avhose  situation  may  deprive  them  of  the  oppor- 
tunity of  an  external  knowledge  of  die  truths  of 
the  gospel. 

Unless  we  admit  this,  we  shall  greatly  con- 
tract  the    benefits    of   Christ's    coming.       He 
"  tasted  death  for  every  man."*      His  "  light 
lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world."t 
And,  although  the  outward  knowledge  of  these 
«yospel  truths  may  be  withheld  from  many,  yet 
their  operation  is  not  therefore  necessarily  frus- 
trated.   How  many  partake  of  favours  of  which 
they  cannot  trace  the  cause  !   He,  who  is  not 
willin<y  that  any  should  perish,  has  doubtless 
provided  means  by  which  this  state  of  perdition 
mav  be  avoided,  even  by  those  to  whom  his 
providence,  has   not  afi'orded  opportunities  to 
obtain  a  historical  knowledge  of  the  truths  of 
Christianity.     Tliose,  however,  who  are  in  pos- 
session of  this  knowledge,  cannot  be  too  thank- 
ful for  it;  in  that  they  are  enabled  to  draw  nigh 
»  Heb.  ii.  9.  t  John  i.  9. 


r 

onto  God  w  ith  more  full  assurance  of  faith ; 
and,  confiding  in  their  blessed  Redeemer,  are 
encouraged,  under  their  various  conflicts  and 
exercises,  to  look  unto  him  who  is  "  touched 
with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities,"*  and  "  is 
able  to  succour  those  that  are  tcmpted.^f 

The  Christian  religion  then  teaches,  that  our 
first  parents  having  sinned,  and  lost  the  divine 
image,  the  fallen  nature  became  so  predominant, 
that  it  was  by  them  transferred  to  their  offspring : 
but  in  order  that  man  might  be  restored  to  fa- 
vour, and  to  a  state  of  purity,  it  pleased  the 
Almighty  to  promise  and  send  a  Redeemer, 
whose  sacrifice  of  himself  he  saw  meet  to  ac- 
cept, as  the  means  of  reconciliation  and  forgive- 
ness of  sins ;  hereby  putting  an  end  to  all  those 
sacrifices,  which,  from  the  fall,  or  very  soon 
after,  to  the  time-  when  Christ  thus  offered  up 
himself,  had  been  adopted  as  the  means  of  ob- 
taining acceptance  with  God.  And  although 
we  cannot  trace  this  practice  to  a  divine  com- 
mand, earlier  than  the  time«pf  Moses;  yet  the 
universal  adoption  of  it  by  the  religious  of  all 
ages,  is  a  strong  implication  that  it  was  of  divine 
origin,  instituted  in  reference  to  that  "  one  of- 

*  Heb.  iv.  Ij.  t  Ueb.  ii.  18. 

E  2 


I.i 


6' 


52  ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 

ftring,  by  which  God  hath  perfected  for  eveK- 
them  that  are  sanctified."* 

Thus,  the  chief  objects  of  the   coming  of 
Christ,  evidently  appear  to  have  been,  first,  by 
the  sacrifice  of  himself,  to  make  atonement  to 
God  for  us,  and  to  become  the  Mediator  be- 
tween God  and  man.     Secondly,  by  the  sancti- 
lying  operation  of  the  holy  Spirit,  "  to  finish 
transgression,  and  to  make  an  end  of  sins,  and 
to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness.''t    And 
thirdly,  by  putting  an  end  to  the  legal  dispensa- 
tion, and,  as  the  apostle  expresses  it,  "  blotting 
out  the  hand  writing  of  ordinances  that  was 
against  us,"i  to  lead  mankind  to  a  more  pure 
and  spiritual  worship  of  the  Divine  Being. 

It  also  appears  that  the  Christian  redemption 
is  throughout  a  work  of  love.  «  God  so  loved 
the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.'*^  In  this  point 
of  view,  we  contemplate  this  interesting  and 
important  subject;  and  not  as  the  effect  of  im- 
placable wrath,  as  some  represent  it.  Christ 
was  and  is  the  gift  of  God.     Thus  the  holy 

•  Heb.  X.  14.  t  Dan.  ix.  24.  $  Col.  ii.  14. 

$  John  Ui.  16« 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


53 


scriptures   represent   the   subject   to   us ;    and 
surely,  the  greater  the  gift,  the  greater  the  lovC, 
"  God  commendeth  his  love  towards  us,  in  that, 
while  w€  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us."* 
lie  co-operated  with  the  Father  in  diis  gracious 
desit'n ;   and  though  he  was  of  the  same  divine 
nature,   he  condescended  to  take  upon  him  our 
human  nature,  and  "  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt 
among  us,t  until  he  had  by  his  life,   and  by  his 
death,  as  man,  completed  the  work  tliat  was 
given  him   to  do;  after  which  he  ascended  to 
that  glory,  which  he  had  with  the  Father  before 
the  world  began. 

Here  we  are  led  to  consider  the  Divinity  of 
our  blessed  Saviour,  in  which  we,  as  a  people, 
do  most  surely  believe;   but  as  every  thing  re- 
lating to  the  Divine  Being,  which  is  not  ex- 
pressly revealed,  is  far  above  the  reach  of  human 
comprehension,  we  are  desirous  of  avoiding  all 
such  particular  disquisitions,  as  lead  beyond  the 
clear  expression  of  holy  writi     We  can  indeed 
say  on  this,  as  on  every  other  occasion,  that  we 
believe  all  that  the  scriptures  have  spoken  and 
inculcated :  we  believe  that  the  evangelist  w  as 
clearly   speaking  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  his 
Divinity  or  Godhead,  when  he  said,  "  In  die 
*  Rom.  V.  8.  t  John  i.  14. 


[I 


54  ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 

beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was 
^vith  God,  and  tlie  Word  was  God.  The 
•same  was  in  the  beginning  with  God.  All 
things  were  made  by  him,  and  without  him 
tvas  not  any  thing  made  that  was  made.  In 
him  was  life,  and  the  Hfe  was  the  light  of 
men."*  *'  And  the  Word  was  made  flesh  and 
dwelt  among  us."t  Here  we  have  a  clear  and 
full  testimony  both  to  the  Divinity  and  the  hu- 
manity of  Qirist ;  and  we  have  ever  since  we 
were  a  people,  borne  testimony  to  this  scripture 
doctrine. 

We  likewise  believe  in  the  divinity  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  which  is  frequently  united  in  scrip- 
ture with  the  Father  and  with  the  Son;  and 
Nvhose  office,  in  the  instruction  and  salvation  of 
mankind,  is  set  forth  in  divers  passages  of  holy 
writ.  See  Matt,  xxviii.  19-  John  xr.  26- 
Acts  xxviii.  25.     Heb.  ix.  U. 

This  belief  in  the  Divinity  of  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  irKiuced  some  of  the 
teachers  in  the  Christian  church,  about  three 
hundred  years  after  the  personal  appearance  of 
Christ,  to  form  a  doctrine,  to  which  they  gave 
the  name  of  Trinity ;  but  in  our  writings,  we 
•Johni,  lto4.  t  Ibid.  14. 


'?il 


©N  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


55 


seldom  make  use  of  this  term,  thinking  it  best, 
on  such  a  subject,  to  keep  to  scriptural  expres- 
sions, and  to  avoid  those  disputes  which  have 
since  perplexed  the  Christian  world,  and  led 
into  speculations  beyond  the  power  of  human 
abilities  to  decide.  If  we  consider  that  we  our- 
selves are  composed  of  a  union  of  "  spirit,  and 
soul  and  body,"*  and  yet  cannot  determine  how 
even  these  are  united ;  how  much  less  may  we 
expect  perfect  clearness  on  a  subject,  so  %r  above 
our  finite  comprehension,  as  that  of  me  divine 
nature. 

After  expressing  our  sentiments  on  what  is 
called  the  Trinity,  it  will  be  proper  to  explain 
our  views  of  the  doctrine  of  justification,  con- 
cerning which  so  much  diversity  of  sentiment 
prevails ;  some  imputing  it  wholly  to  faith,  and 
others  principally,  if  not  wholly,  to  works. 

So  far  as  remission  of  sins,  and  a  capacity  to 
receive  salvation,  are  parts  of  justification,  we 
attribute  it  to  the  sacrifice  of  Christ;  "  in  whom 
we  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  the  for- 
giveness of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his 
grace. "t  But  when  we  consider  justification 
us  a  state  of  divine  favour  and  acceptance,  we 


•  1  Thew.  V.  S3. 


1  Eph.  i,  7, 


56 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


ascribe  it,  not  simply  either  to  faith  or  works, 
but  to  the  sanctifying  operation  of  the  spirit  of 
Christ,  from  which  living  faith  and  acceptable 
works  alone  proceed;  and  by  which  we  may 
come  to  knaw,  that  "  the  Spirit  itself  beareth- 
witness  with  our  spirits,  that  we  are  the  chil- 
dren of  God."* 

In  attributing  our  justification,  through  the 
grace  of  Gfd  in  Christ  Jesus,  to  the  operation 
of  the  lloly  Spirit,  which  sanctities  the  heart, 
and  produces  the  work  of  regeneration,  we  are 
supported  by  the  testimony  of  the  apostle  Paul, 
who  says  :  "  ^ot  by  works  of  righteousness 
which  we  have  done,  but  of  his  mercy  he  saved 
us,  by  the  washing  of  regeneration,  and  renew- 
ing of  the  Holy  Ghost."f  Again,  "  But  ye  are 
washed,  bu^  ye  are  sanctified,  but  ye  are  justi- 
fied, in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  die 
Spirit  of  our  God.".]: 

By  this  view  of  the  doctrine  of  justification, 
we  conceive  the  apparently  different  sentiments 
of  the  apostles  Paul  and  James  are  reconciled. 
Keidier  of  them  say,  that  faith  alone,  or  works 
alone,  are  the  cause  of  our  being  justified;  but 
as  one  of  them  asserts  the  necessity  of  faith, 

•  Rom.  viii.  16.        t  Titua  iii.  5.^        ^1  Cor.  y'u  iX~ 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


57 


gnd  the  other  of  works,  for  effecting  this  great 
object,  a  clear  and  convincing  proof  is  afforded 
that  both  contribute  to  our  justification;  and 
that  faith  without  works,  and  works  without 
faith,  are  equally  dead. 

The  doctrine  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
is  so  connected  with  the  Christian  religion,  that 
it  will  be  also  proper  to  say  something  on  this 
subject.     In  explaining  our  belief  of  this  doc- 
trine, we  refer  to  the  xvth  chapter  of  the  1st 
Epistle  to  the  Corinthians.     In  this  chapter  isr 
clearly  laid  down  the  resurrection  of  a  body, 
though  not  of  the  same  body  that  dies.   "  There 
are  celestial  bodies,  and  there  are  bodies  terres- 
trial ;  but  the  jjlorv  of  the  celestial  is  one,  and 
the  glory  of  the  terrestrial  is  another.— So  also 
is  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. — It  is  sown  a 
natural  body,  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body :  there 
is  a  natural  body,  and  there  is  a  spiritual  body. 
Now  this  I  say,   brethren,  that  flesh  and  blood 
cannot  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God ;  neither 
doth  corruption  inherit  incorruption."*     Here 
we  rest  our  belief  in  this  "  mystery,"  without 
desiring  to  pry  into  it  beyond  what  is  revealed 
to  us ;  remembering,  that  "  secret  things  belong 

•  1  Cor.  XV.  40,  42,  44,  50, 


m 


I 


58 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


unto  the  Lord  our  God;  but  those  things  which 
are  revealed,  belong  unto  us  and  to  our  chil- 
dr 


ren. 


Many  are  the  arguments  and  evidences  which 
mij^ht  be  brought  forward  in  favour  of  the 
Christian  religion ;  but  none  appears  to  be  more 
forcible,  than  the  purity  of  that  morality  which 
is  inculcated  by  it;  and  which  is  most  effectually 
adapted  to^e  promotion  of  the  happiness  of 
mankind  in  this  world,  as  well  as  in  that  which 
is  to  come.  A  just  test  of  principles,  as  well 
as  of  men,  was  laid  down  by  our  Saviour  in 
these  words :  '*  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know 
them."f  It  is  the  conduct  to  which  principles 
lead,  by  which  we  are  to  judge  of  their  recti- 
tude ;  rather  than  by  the  actions  of  men,  who 
may  profess  these  principles,  but  whose  weak- 
ness may  often  cause  a  violation  of  them.  Now, 
to  apply  this  test  to  Christ  and  his  religion,  let 
us  first  attend  to  that  angelic  song,  with  which 
his  birth  was  introduced  into  the  world:  "  Glory 
to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace; 
good  will  towards  men."J  Next,  let  us  consider 
how  his  precepts  and  his  example  corresponded 
with  it.     Read  that  most  excellent  sermon  on 

•  Deut.  xxix.  29.        t  Malt.  vii.  20.        t  L"ke  ii.  14. 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


59 


the  mount ;  look  at  the  example  he  has  left  us, 
under  all  the  temptations  and  trials  which,  for 
our  sakes,  were  permitted  to  assail  him.     With 
what   firmness  did  he  reprove  the   vices   and 
hypocrisy  of  the  Jews!  With  what  meekness  did 
lie  bear  their  insults  and  persecutions !  Truly, 
indeed,  was  it  foretold  of  him  ;  "  He  is  brought 
as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter;  and  as  a  sheep  before 
lier  shearers  is  dumb,  so  he  openeth  not  his 
mouth."*     And  when  this  people  had  executed 
upon  him  all  that  their  malice  could  devise,  he, 
consistently  with  the  precepts  which  he  had  in- 
culcated, in  return  for  all  their  injuries,   put  up 
this  most  affecting  prayer ;  "  Father !   forgive 
them;  they  know  not  what  they  do."t 

But  this  example  and  these  precepts  were 
not  confined  to  our  holy  head  and  high  priest. 
In  that  part  of  conduct  which  is  the  most  diffi- 
cult for  human  nature,  the  forgiveness  of  inju- 
ries, we  find  the  proto-martyr,  Stephen,  fol- 
lowed his  Lord's  example;  and,  when  expiring 
under  the  cruelties  of  the  same  people,  thus 
poured  out  his  soul  unto  God:  "  Lord!  lay  not 
this  sin  to  their  charge."J    What  other  religion 

•  Isaiah  llii.  7.— Tliis  whole  chapter  is  a  remarkable  pre- 
diction of  the  coming  and  sufferings  of  Christ. 
t  Luke  xxiii.  34.  t  Acts  vii.  60. 


60 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


►N  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION'. 


61 


is  there>  that  inculcates  a  conduct  like  this!  that 
teaches  not  only  to  forgive  injuries,  but  even  to 
pray  for  those  that  are  the  cause  of  them! 
Precepts  which  alone  give  a  decided  preference 
to  Christianity,  above  all  other  religions  in  the 
world. 

Let  us  next  look  into  those  epistles,  which 
the  apostles  addressed  to  the  Christian  converts, 
both  among  the  Jews  and  Gentiles ;  and  there 
we  shall  again  find,  in  addition  to  the  doctrinal 
part  of  Christianity,  such  a  spirit  of  pure  mo- 
rality and  true  love,  so  uniformly  inculcated, 
and  the  duties  of  every  station  in  life  taught 
with  so  much  simplicity  and  energy,  as  to  ren- 
der the  reading  of  them  pleasing  and  instructive ; 
and  at  the  same  time  gaining  the  assent  of  our 
judgment,  however  remote  from  them  our  prac- 
tice may  frequently  be.     ^Die  following  extract 
from  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans  is  brought  for- 
ward, not  because  it  contains  matter  superior 
to  many  other  parts  of  the  epistles ;  but  because 
of  the  conciseness,  the  simplicity,  and  the  energy, 
with  which  the  iniportant   precepts  are  con- 
veyed:   **  Let  love  be  without  dissimulation. 
Abhor  that  which  is  evil ;  cleave  to  that  which 
is  good.     Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another 
with  brotherly  love ;  in  honour  preferring  one 


another;   not  slothful  in  business;   fervent  in 
spirit;   serving  the  Lord;    rejoicing  in  hope; 
patient   in   tribulation  ;   continuing   instant  in 
prayer;  distributing  to  the  necessities  of  the 
saints ;  given  to  hospitality.     Bless  them  which 
persecute  you:  bless  and  curse  not.     Rejoice 
with  them  that  do  rejoice ;  and  weep  with  them 
that  weep.     Be  of  the  same  mind  one  towards 
another.     Mind  not  high  things,   but   conde- 
scend to  men  of  low  estate.     Be  not  wise  ia 
your  own  conceits.     Recompence  to  no  man 
evil  for  evil.    Provide  things  honest  in  the  sight 
of  all  men.     If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  lieth 
in  you,  live  peaceably  with  all  men."*—"  Be 
not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with 
good."+ 

It  may  not  be  necessary  to  enter  much  into 
those  arguments,  which  the  miracles  performed 
by  Christ  and  his  apostles,  afford  for  the  truth 
of  the  Christian  religion.  If  what  is  advanced 
in  favour  of  the  truth  and  credibility  of  the  holy 
scriptures,  be  admitted,  these  arguments  nmst 
unavoidably  strike  every  considerate  and  impar- 
tial, mind  with  irresistible  force.  It  may,  how- 
ever, be  proper  to  observe,  that  the  credibility 
of  these  accounts,  so  far  at  least  as  they  relate 


♦  Rom.  xii,  9  to  18. 


t  lb.  xii.  21. 


63 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


to  our  blessed  Saviour,  receives  great  additional 
force,   by  being  confirnned  in  many  parts,  by 
four  different  testimonies,   whose  distinct  con- 
curring evidence  affords  no  small  confirmation 
of  the.  truth  of  their  relations.     This  confirma- 
tion is  rather  increased  than  lessened,   by  the 
slight  variations  which  sometimes  appear;   for, 
by  these  variations,  no  suspicion  can  reasonably 
be  fixed  of  a  preconcerted  design  to  impose 
upon  the  world.     Two  of  the  evangelists,   at 
least,  were  witnesses  of  what  they  wrote;  a  third 
tells  us,  that  he  was  one  of  those  who  received 
information  from  such,  as,  from  the  beginning, 
were  eye  witnesses  and  ministers  of  the  word ; 
and  die  fourtli  is  supposed  to  have  written  when 
in  company  with  the  apostle  Peter,  and  to  have 
received  his  information  and  instruction  from 
him.     To  these  relations  of  the  evangelists,  the 
following  declaration   and  testimony  of  Peter 
afford  additional  confirmntion :  "  We  have  not 
followed   cunningly  devised   fables,    when   we 
made  known  to  you  the  power  and   coming  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  were  eve-witnesses 
of  his  Majesty ;   for  he  received  from  God  the 
Father  honour  and  glory,  when  there  came  such 
a  voice  from  the  excellent  glory :  Tliis  is  my 
beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased."* 

^  2  Peter  i.  16, 17. 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN    RELIGION. 


m 


In  whatever  point  of  view,  therefore,  we  con- 
sider the  Christian  religion,   it  exhibits  to  us  a 
plan  and  design  worthy  of  our  great  and  gra- 
cious CreatOF ;  and  so  well  adapted  to  the  state 
of  the  human  heart,  that  nothing  appears  to  be 
wanting  but  the  acceptance  of  the  terms  on 
which  it  is  offered.    Yet  the  condition  on  which 
only  we  can  be  true  Christians,  requiring  us  to 
deny  ourselves,  and  take  up  a  daily  cross  to  our 
evil  propensities,  this  doctrine  and  that  founda- 
tion on  which  it  is  built,  are  now,  as  formerly, 
to  some  a  stumbling  block,  and  to  others,  fool- 
ishness.    It  is  indeed  to  be  feared,  that  many 
who  adopt  the  Christian  religion  in  theory,  are 
but  little  acquainted  with  it  in  practice.     True 
Christianity  is  more  adapted  to  the  heart,  than 
to  the  head :  it  is  not  so  much  a  system  of  doc- 
trines, as  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation. 
Nevertheless,  it  necessarily  includes  doctrines; 
but  tlien  it  requires  a  union  of  the  spirit  with 
the  letter ;  of  faith  and  of  works ;  of  the  power 
and  of  the  form  of  godliness.     To  unite  these 
in  our  hearts,  and  in  our  actions,  is  what  ap- 
pears to  me  to  constitute  the  true  and  perfect 
Christian. 


"i 


CIUP.  IT. 

ON  THE  INFLUENCES  OF  THE  HOLX 

SPIRIT. 

Tfie  Gift  of  the  Spirit  an  essential  of  Christianity, 
Different  names  for  the  Spirit. — Necessity  of  its 
assistanee-^vniversally  afforded — and  in  all  ages-^ 
but  most  plentifully  in  the  Gospel. ~~Uncofiditionat 
election  and  reprobation  diso-xned  and  disproved. 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  has  been  considered  as  an  essential 
part  of  true  Christianity;  but  as  it  is  a  doctrine 
on  which  we  insist,*  more  than  other  professors 

•  The  word  '•  insist,"  is  here  nsed,  because  it  is  not  a 
doctrine  peculiar  to  us,  but  ooly  one  on  which  we  lay  more 
stress  than  most  other  Christians.  The  church  of  England 
holds  the  doctrine  much  as  we  do,  as  may  be  seen  in  the 
liturgy,  from  which  are  extracted  the  two  following  collects, 
and  to  which  others  of  a  similar  tendency  might  be  added. 
«  The  fit'th  Sunday  after  Easter."—"  O  Lord,  from  whom 
all  good  things  do  come,  grant  to  ns,  thy  humble  servants, 
that  hy  thy  holy  inspiration,  we  may  think  those  things  that 
be  good;  and  by  thy  merciful  guiding  may  perform  the 
same,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Amen."  *•  The  19th 
Sunday  after  Trinity."—**  O  God,  forasmuch  as  without 
thee  we  are  unable  to  please  thee  ;  mercifully  grant  that 
thy  holy  Spirit  may  in  all  things  direct  and  rule  our  hearty 
through,"  ficc— See  also  Knox's  Christian  Philosophy. 


ON  THE  INFLUENCES,  &C.  C^ 

of  the  Christian  name,  I  have  apprehended  it 
proper  to  appropriate  a  chapter  to  this  subject; 
and,  for  that  reason,  have  said  less  upon  it,  than 
I  should  otherwise  have  done,  when  treating  o£ 
the  general  docuines  of  Christianity. 

There  are  different  names  in  the  scriptures, 
by  which  this  Spirit  is  denominated.     It  is  not 
only  called  the  Holy  Spirit,  or  the  Spirit  of 
God,  and  of  Christ;  but  it  is  also  distmguished 
^.ith  great  propriety  by  the  appellation  of  "  the 
Grace  of  God;"*  as  being  a  mark  of  his  pecu* 
liar  favour  to  mankind.     Another  appropriate 
denomination  is  "  Light,"  by  which  are  evinced 
its  effects,  in  manifesting  what  is  good  and  what 
is  evil.     "  Tor  whatsoever  dolh  make  manifest 
is  Light."t    Odier  names  might  be  enumerated 
by  which  the  same  ihmg  is  distinguished;  but 

these  may  be  sufficient  to  convey  u  clear  idea 

of  what  1  have  in  view. 

The  holy  scriptures  so  frequently  make  men- 
tion of  this  divine  influence;  and  enforce  it  with 

•  In  some  instances,  the  word  grace  in  scripture  simp^ 
Beans  favour ;  but  in  others,  it  evidently  implies  an  inward 
eperative  principle,  and  is  synonymous  with  the  Holy 
Spirit,-Sec  Crudeu's  and  Taylor's  Concordances  nndl-r 

i  Bphes.  V.  IS, 
F.3 


I 
^ 


dig 


ON   THE   INFLUENCES   t>» 


THE   HOLY   SPIRIT. 


A 


m 


SO  much  energy,  that  there  is  no  doctrine  oe- 
rived  from  these  writings,  on  which  they  appear 
to  be  more  clear  and  explicit,  and  to  afford  le^ 
room  for  objection  and  controversy. 

In  considering  this  subject,  it  may  be  proper 
to  advance  and  support  the  following  positions.. 

1. — The  necessity  of  the  assistance  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  for  understanding  the  things,  and 
for  working  the  works,  of  God. 

<2.— -That  such  a  portion  of  this  Spirit,  as  isr 
accessary  for  working  out  the  soul's  salvation^ 
is  afforded  to  nrankind  universally. 

With  regard  to  the  first  position,  the  apostle 
Paul  argues  the  case  so  forcibly,  and  with  such 
logical  clearness,  that  1  shall  quote  his  words> 
both  as  the  best  arguments  and  the  best  author 
rity,  that  can  be  adduced  on  the  occasion. 
<*  What  man,  (saith  he)  knoweth  the  things  of  a 
man,  save  the  spirit  of  man  which  is  in  him^ 
«ven  so  the  things  of  God  knoweth  no  man,  but 
the  Spirit  of  God."*  After  which  he  proceedt 
thus :  "  Now  we  have  received,  not  the  spirit 
of  the  world,  but  the  Spirit  which  is  of  God^ 

•  t  Cor.  ij.  iu 


that  we  might  know  the  things  that  are  freely 
given  to  us  of  God :  which  things  also  we  speak, 
not  in  the  words  which  man's  wisdom  teacheth, 
but  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth;  comparing 
spiritual  things  with  spiritual.  But  the  natural 
man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of 
God;  for  they  are  foolishness  mito  him;  neither 
can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually 
discerned."* 

In  the  epistle  to  the  Romans,  the  apostle 
also  shows  the  necessity  of  the  assistance  of  the 
Spirit,  saying  expressly:  '"^  If. any  man  have  not 
the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  bis— for  as 
many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are 
the  sons.of  God :  for  ye  have  not  received  the 
spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear,  but  ye  have  re- 
ceived the  spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  cry, 
Abba,  Father.    The  Spirit  itself  beareth  wit- 
ness with  our  spirit,  that  we  are  the  children  of 
God.— Likewise,   the  Spirit  also  helpeth  ouir 
inhrmities;  foe  we  know  not  what  we  should 
pray  for  as  we  ought ;  but  the  Spirit  itself  maketh 
intercession  for  us,  with  groaiimgs  which  cannot 
be  uttered."t 

From  these  passages,  and  from  many  other* 
ivhich  might  be  adduced,  it  appears  clearly, 
•  1  Cor.  ii.  12—14.       t  Rom.  vui.  9,  U,  15>  16^  26.- 


& 


ON    THE   INFLUENCES   OP 


that  the  mfluence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  neces- 
sary for  tlie  performance  of  those  duties,  which 
mate  us  truly  acceptable  unto  God.  It  is  by 
our  humble  attention  to  this  Spu-it,  that  we  are 
instructed  in  these  duties,  and  enabled  to  per- 
form them ;  and,  by  abiding  under  its  purifying 
influences,  we  are  gradually  created  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works.  By  this  Spirit 
we  are  also  instructed  in  the  great  and  solemn 
duty  of  prayer;  "  Praying  always  with  all  prayer 
and  supplication  in  the  Spirit,  and  watching 
thereunto  with  all  perseverance.'^*  It  is  like- 
wise by  this  Spirit,  that  those  who  are  called  to 
the  sacred  oftice  of  gospel  ministry,  are  "  made 
able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament;  not  of 
the  letter,  but  of  the  Spirit ;  for  the  letter 
killeth,  but  the  Spirit  giveth  Iife.''t 

In  addition  to  these  clear  and  forcible  de- 
clarations, it  may  be  proper  to  remark,  that 
they  are  grounded  on  such  arguments,  as  evince 
iftem  not  to  be  confined  to  the  times  of  the 
apostles,  or  primitive  Christians;  but  being 
adapted  to  the  weakness  of  man,  they  may  rea- 
sonably be  supposed  to  last  as  long  as  that 
'weakness  remains :  and  unless  it  can  be  proved 
that,  since  those  times,   mankind  have  received 

*  Ephea.  vi.  18*  %  2  Cor.  iii.  ^ 


THE    HOLY    SPIRIT. 


G9 


such  an  extraordinary  accession  of  natural 
powers,  as  makes  religion  and  virtue  more 
easily  attained  than  formerly,  we  should  thank- 
fully submit  to  be  instructed  and  assisted  by  the 
same  supernatural  means,  which  the  holy  scrip- 
tures so  strongly  recommend,  as  essential  to  the 
performance  of  those  religious  duties  which  we 
owe  to  our  great  Creator,  and  to  our  merciful 

Redeemer. 

• 

We  come  now  to  the  second  position,  viz. 
that  such  a  portion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  is 
necessary  for  working  out  the  soul's  salvation, 
is  afforded  to  mankind  universally. 

It  has  already  been  shown,  that  there  are  dif- 
ferent names  by  which  this  Spirit  is  distin- 
guished. We  apprehend  it  to  be  a  degree  of 
the  same,  which  the  apostle  alluded  to,  when, 
writing  to  the  Romans  respecting  the  state  of 
the  Gentile  world,  he  says,  "  For  when  the 
Gentiles,  which  have  not  the  law,  do  by  nature 
the  things  contained  in  the  law;  these  having 
not  the  law,  are  a  law  unto  themselves,  which 
show  the  work  of  the  law  wiitten  in  their 
hearts ;  their  consciences  also  bearing  witness, 
and  their  thoughts  the  meanwhile  accusing,  or 
else  excusing  one  another."* 

•  Rom.  ii.  14  and  15* 


70 


ON    THE    INFLL'EXCES    OF 


I 


We  also  find  diat  the  Spirit  of  God  strove 
with  the  antediluvian  world,  respecting  Mhich 
the  Almighty  gave  this  declaration ;  "  My  Spirit 
shall  not  always  strive  with  man."*  Concern- 
ing the  Jews  in  the  Mosaic  dispensation,  Nehe- 
niiah  expresses  himself  thus  in  his  prayer  : 
**  Thou  gavest  also  thy  good  Spirit  to  instruct 
them."t  And  by  Isaiah  it  is  said,  "  They  re- 
belled and  vexed  his  Holy  Spirit;  therefore  be 
was  turned  to  be  their  enemy  ."J 

Thus  we  see,  in  every  age  and  state  of  thie 
world,  there  has  been  a  secret  principle  at  work 
in  the  minds  of  men,  which  formed  the  basis  of 
all  true  religion,  and  by  inattention  and  disobe- 
dience to  which,  they  fell  into  those  enormities 
that  produced  the  just  judgments  of  an  oifended 
God.  We  believe  that  this  divine  principle  is, 
as  has  already  been  intimated,  the  same  with 
that  which  the  Evangelist  John  calls  "  the  true 
light,  which  llghteth  every  man  that  cometh  into 
the  world  ;*'§  that  it  is  the  gospel  which  Paul 
says,  "  was  preached  to  (or  injl )  every  creature 
which  is  under  heaven;"^  and  that  it  is  what  he 
elsewhere  styles  "  the .  Grace  of  God,  which 

♦  Gen.  vi.  3.  t  Neb.  ix.  20.  ♦  Isaiah  Ixiii.  10. 

$  John  i,  9.        II  Tbe  Greek  is  "  ivit»(m  tn  kHo-h**' 

f  Col.  i.  23. 


THE    KOLY    SPIRIT. 


71 


brinweth  salvation,  and  has  appealed  unto  all 


"* 


men. 

But  although  this  divine  principle  has  always 
been,  in  degree,  afforded  to  mankind ;  yet  it  was 
by  the  gospel  dispensation,  that  not  only  life 
and  immortality  were  brought  to  light;  but  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  was  more  plentifully  poured 
forth,  and  became  as  it  were  the  leading  feature 
of  that  religion,  which  our  blessed  Redeemer 
has  introduced  into  the  world.  With  this  view 
of  the  subject,  I  apprehend,  the  Evangelist  ex- 
presses himself  thus:  "The  Holy  Ghost  was 
not  yet  given,  because  that  Jesus  was  not  yet 
glorified."t  And  in  another  place ;  "  The  law 
was  given  by  Moses ;  but  Grace  and  Truth 
came  by  Jesus  Christ."^  Of  this  Grace  the 
Apostle  Paul,  in  particular,  frequently  speaks  in 
his  epistles  ;  but  most  fully  in  that  to  Titus,  in 
the  passage  just  referred  to :  this  passage  it  may 
be  proper  here  to  give  at  large.  "  The  Grace 
of  God  that  bringeth  salvation,  hath  appeared 
to  all  men ;  teaching  us,  that  denying  ungodli- 
ness and  \\x)rldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly, 
righteously,  and  godly,  in  this  present  world ; 
looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  the  glorious 
appearing  of  the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour 

*  Tit.  ii.  11.  t  John  vii.  39.  $  John  i.  17. 


n 


OS^   THE   INFLUENCES    OF 


Jesus  Christ;  who  gave  himself  for  us,  t!iat  h« 
might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purity 
unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works."*  This  is  a  text  to  which  we  often  refer, 
as  describing  the  essence  of  the  Christian  reli- 
giou ;  and  conveying  in  the  clearest  maimer, 
our  belief  in  the  quality,  the  universality,  and 
the  effects  of  that  gift  of  divine  Grace,  to  which 
the  apostle  bears  this  ample  testimony;  and 
which,  we  here  see,  co-operates  with  that  great 
object,  for  which  the  Sou  of  God  was  mani- 
fested in  the  flesh.  This  object,  according  to 
the  testimony  of  another  apostle,  was,  "  To 
destroy  the  works  of  the  devil  ;"t  the  principal 
of  which,  it  scarcely  need  be  said,  is  sin. 

But  to  return  to  the  preceding  passage  in 
Titus.  There  are  three  inferences  evidently 
resulting  from  it.  1. — That  this  Grace  is  of 
that  quality,  which  produceth  salvation.  ^.— 
Tliat  it  is  universal :  not  confined  to  a  part  of 
mankind ;  but  extended  "  to  all  men."  3.-— lliat 
its  instructions  are  such  as  invariably  lead  to  the 
practice  of  piety  and  virtue.  The  first  and  third 
of  these  inferences  will,  it  is  presumed,  be  ge- 
nerally, if  not  universally  acceded  to ;  but  the 
second,    though   equally  deducible    from    th§ 

•  Titus  ii.  11—14.  t  1  John  iii.  8; 


THE   HOLY   SPIRIT, 


?s 


apostle's  words,  some  may  endeavour  to  explain 
away;  and  to  reconcile  with  those  ideas  of  un- 
conditional election  and  reprobation,  ^hich 
they  have  entertained  ;  and  on  which  it  may  be 
proper,  in  this  place,  to  make  a  few  remarks. 

This  doctrine  asserts,  that  the  Almighty  has 
irrevocably  decreed  a  certain  number  of  human 
beings  to  everlasting  happiness ;  and  that  the 
rest  are  as  certainly  doomed  to  the  commissioa 
of  sin,  and  to  its  consequence,  eternal  misery. 
That  this  is  no  exaggerated  description,  will 
appear  from  the  quotations  given  in  the  margin,* 
from  tl^  writings  of  the  advocates  of  this  doc- 
trine; and  I  should  think,  that  to  describe  it, 
was  enough  to  refute  it,  had  we  iu)t,  in  many 
■other  instances,  as  well  as  in  this,  occasion  td 

*  •"  I  say,  titat  by  the  ordination  and  M'ill  of  God,  Adam 
fell,  God  would  have  man  to  fall.  We  refer  the  cause  of 
liardening  us  to  God."  Calvin»  "  God  iiatb  predestinated 
<not  only  note  damnation,  but  also  unto  the  causes  of  \t, 
whomsoeTcr  he  saw  meet."  Bcza.  "  It  is  the  opinion  of 
our  doctors,  that  God  did  inevitably  decree  the  tempta- 
tion and  fall  of  man."  Paraus.  "  God  movcth  the  rob- 
ber to  kill.  He  killetli,  God  forcing  him  thereunto."  Zuin- 
gUus.  *^  Reprobate  persons  (saith  Piscator)  are  absolutely 
ordained  to  this  two-fold  end  ;  to  undergo  everlasting  pu- 
nishment, and  necessarily  to  sin  ;  and  therefore  to  sin,  that 
thoy  may  be  justly  pujuished.''—See  Barclays  Apology, 
prop.  V,  sect,  2. 

G 

V 


I 


74 


ON   THE   INFLUENCES   OF 


THE   HOLY    SPIRIT. 


1o 


observe,  in  how  different  a  point  of  view  dif- 
ferent men  see  the  same  subject.     That  tlie 
holy  scriptures,  those  faithful  records  both  of 
the  justice  and  mercy  of  God,  should  be  pressed 
to  the  support  of  such  a  sentiment,  is  matter  of 
surprise.     I  am  aware  that  some  parts  of  the 
scriptures,  taken  without  their  context,  may  be 
supposed  to  incline  to  this  sentiment.*     This 
is  particularly  the  case  in  the  Epistle  to  the 
Romans,  in  which  die  Apostle  is  setting  forth 
the  call  of  the  Gentiles,  and  the  temporary 
rejection   of  the  Jews  ;  justifying,  with  great 
energy,  the  power  and  the  wisdom,  the  good- 
ness and  the  severity,  of  God  in  this  respect: 
but  that  he  meant  thereby  to  inculcate,  that  the 
Almighty,  personally  and  unconditionally,  elect- 

•  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  several  passages  in  our 
Eofflish  traBslation,  which  seem  to  favour  this  doctrine, 
are  capable  of  a  different  rendering.     For  instance,  in 
Acts  c.  ii.  23,  where  it  is  translated,  •'  Him  being  delivered 
by  the  determinate  counsel  a«d  foreknowledge  of  God," 
&c.  the  Greek  word,  «xo^oto»}  rendered,  de/ite)«rf,  may,  with 
equal,  or  more  propriety ,  be  translated,  gicen  forth;  then 
the  passage  may  be  read  thus:  "  Him,  who  was  given  forth 
by  the  determinate  counsel  and  foreknowledge  of  God,  ye 
have  taken,  and  with  wicked  hands  have  crucified  and 
slain."    Another  Greek  word  is  used  in  every  passage  that 
is  rendered,  delivered.    Acts  iv.  27.  and  1  Peter  ii.  8.  arc 
also  capable  of  being  differently  translated. 


ed  individuals  to  a  state  of  future  happiness, 
and  decreed  others  to  a  state  of  misery,  is  what 
I  think  no  fair  construction  of  the  Epistle  will 
warrant.  On  the  contrary,  after  showing  and 
enforcing  the  right  of  the  Almighty,  to  make 
use  of  individuals,  or  of  nations,  for  carrying  on 
his  great  and  unsearchable  designs ;  the  apostle 
sets  forth,  even  with  respect  to  the  Gentiles, 
the  call  of  whom  it  was  peculiarly  his  object  to 
justify,  that  their  continuance  in  divine  favour, 
depended  upon  the  steadfastness  of  their  faith 
and  faithfulness  to  him,  who  had  "  called  them 
out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light;"*  and 
"  made  them  partakers  of  his  promise  in  Christ 
Jesus. "f 

The  following  quotation  from  that  part  of 
the  epistle,  in  which  the  apostle  may  be  said  to 
sum  up  his  arguments,  will  tend  to  set  the  sub- 
ject in  a  clear  light :  "  For  I  speak  to  you 
Gentiles;  inasmuch  as  I  am  the  apostle  of  the 
Gentiles,  I  magnify  mine  office.— If  some  of 
the  branches  be  broken  off,  and  thou,  being  a 
wild  olive  tree,  wert  graifed  in  among  them; 
and  with  them  partakest  of  the  root  and  fatness 
of  the  olive  tree,  boast  not  against  the  branches ; 
but  if  thou  boast  [remember]  thou  bearest  not 


*  1  Pet.  il.  9- 


t  Ephes.  iii.  6* 


G  2 


75 


ON    THE   INFLUENCES   0*E 


THE   HOLY   SPIRIT. 


77 


i 


the  root,  but  the  root  thee.  Thou  wilt  say  then, 
the  branches  were  broken  ofF,  that  I  might  ho 
graffed  in.  Well,  because  of  unbelief  they 
were  broken  off,  and  thou  standest  by  faith ;  be 
»ot  high  minded,  but  fear ;  for  if  God  spared 
not  the  natural  branches,  take  heed  lest  he  also 
spare  not  thee.  Behold  therefore  the  goodnes* 
and  severity  of  God;  on  them  which  fell,  se- 
verity ;  but  towards  thee,  goodness,  if  thou  con^ 
tinue  in  his  goodness ;  otherwise  thou  also  shalt 
be  cut  off:  and  they  also,  if  they  abide  not  still 
in  unbelief,  shall  be  graffed  ia;  for  God  is  able 
to  graff  them  in  again."* 

Here  we  see  no  unconditional  election  or 
reprobation;  but  a  doctrine  which  perfectly 
comports  with  the  declaration  of  the  Almighty 
about  six  hundred  years  before,  when,  after 
sending  the  prophet  Jeremiah  fo  the  potter's 
house,  to  instruct  him  at  once  in  the  divine 
power  and  mercy,  he  sent  a  message  by  him  to- 
the  house  of  Israel,  in  this  memorable  lansruasre : 
"  O  House  of  Israel !  Cannot  I  do  with  you  as 
this  potter,  saith  the  Lord?  Behold,  as  the  clay 
is  in  the  potter's  hanJ,  so  are  ye  in  my  hand,  O 
house  of  Israel  !"t     After  tlwis  setting  forth  his 

«  Rom.  xi.  13-23.  t  Jer.  xviU^  6, 


power,  the  Almighty  proceeds  to  show  in  what 
manner  he  is  pleased  to  exercise  it.    "  At  what 
instant  I  shall  speak  concerning  a  nation  and 
concerning  a  kingdom,  to  pluck  up,  and  to  pull 
down,  and  to  destroy  it;  if  that  nation,  against 
which  I  have  pronounced,  turn  from  their  evil, 
I  will  repent  of  the  evil  that  I  thought  to  do 
unto  them.     And  at  what  instant  I  shall  speak 
concerning  a  nation,  and  concerning  a  kingdom, 
to  build  and  to  plant  it:   if  it  do  evil  in  my 
sight,  that  it  obey  not  my  voice,  then  1  will  re- 
pent of  the  good,  wherewith  I  said  I  would 
benefit  them**'* 

Thus  we  see  the  principle  of  the  dealings  of 
God,  with  mankind,  in  different  ages  of  the 
world.  The  Ninevites  are  a  proof  of  the  truth 
of  the  first  part  of  the  foregoing  declaration ; 
and  the  Israelites  of  the  lattsr  :  for,  however, 
the  Almighty  may,  in  some  instances,  see  meet 
to  distinguish  a  people,  or  individuals,  by  some 
peculiar  privileges ;  yet  if  they  neglect,  and 
trample  upon  his  law;  and  are  unmindful  of  the 
favours  which  they  receive;  he  does  not  fail  to 
punish  them  accordingly.  "You  only  have  I 
known  of  all  the  families  of  tlie  earth ;  ther^ 

•  Jer,  xvHi.  7, 10. 


78 


ON   THE   INFLUENCES   OP 


thb  holy  SPmiT. 


79 


I 


fore  I  will  punish  you  for  all  your  iHiquities/'* 
"was  the  declaration  concerning  this  highly  fa- 
voured people  ;  from  which,  and  various  other 
passages  in  holy  writ,  we  may  safely  conclude, 
that  man's  destruction  is  of  himself;  agreeably 
to  another  declaration  of  the  Almighty  by  one 
of  his  prophets :  "  O  Israel !  thou  hast  destroyed 
thyself;  but  in  me  is  thine  help."t  "  The  grace 
of  God  which  bringeth  salvation,  and  hath  ap- 
peared unto  all  men,"  affordeth  this  help.  It 
is  saving  grace;  and  it  is  universal  grace.  It  is 
a  gift  consistent  with  every  attribute  of  the 
Deity;  and  witli  the  declarations  concerning 
Him,  recorded  in  the  scriptures  of  truth.  That 
ihe  Almighty  may  see  meet,  in  his  unsearchable 
■wisdom,  to  confer  a  greater  degree  of  this  grace 
on  some  than  on  others;  and  that  he  may  pecu- 
liarly call  some  to  particular  services  in  his 
church,  or  in  the  world,  are  no  doubt  consist-^ 
ent  with  the  divine  attributes :  but  with  respect 
to  the  future  happiness  of  mankind,  there  is 
abundant  reason  to  believe,  that  all  receive  a. 
sufficient  degree  of  grace  to  procure  it :  and  if 
this  grace  is  not  equally  distributed  to  all,  yet^ 
surely,  we  may  conclude  that,  at  last,  the  judg- 
ment will  be  according  to  this  most  excellent  rule :. 
"Where  much  is  given  much  wUl  be  required  ;"J 

*  Amos  iii.  2.       t  Hosea  xiii,  9.       t  Luke  xii.  48. 


tnd,  consequently,  where  little  is  given,  but  lit- 
tle will,  be  required^ 

In  addition  to  what  has  already  been  said,  it 
may  be  proper  to  observe,  that,  in  considering 
this  subject,  we  should  always  distinguish  be- 
tween those  passages  in  the  scriptures,  which 
simply  declare  the  power  of  the  Almighty,  and 
those  which  set  forth  the  manner  in  which  he 
exercises  that   powen    Thus  the  apostle  has 
said,  and  no  doubt  said  truly,  "  He  hath  mercy 
on  whom  he  will  have  mercy;  and   whom  he 
will  he  hardeneth."*     But  then  are  we  not  also 
told  that,  "  the  Lord  is  good  to  all ;  and  his 
tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works  ;"t  and 
has  not  the  very  same  apostle,  after  recommend- 
ing that,  "  prayers  and  intercessions  should  be 
made  for  all  men,"J  expressly  declared  that, 
"  this  is  good* and  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God 
our  Saviour,  who  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved, 
and  to  come  unto  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  ?"§ 
Correspondent  with  this  is  the  language  of  the 
apostle  Peter:   "The  Lord  is  not  slack  con- 
cerning his  promise,  (as  some  men  count  slack- 
ness) but  is  long  suffering  to  us-ward ;  not  wil- 


^^  Rom.  ix.  18* 


f  Psalm  cxlv.  9i 
$lTim.  ii.  3,  4, 


4  1  Tim.  ii.  Iv 


80 


ON   THE   INFLUENCES   OF 


THE    HOLY    SPIRTT» 


81 


ling  that  any  should  perish^  bat  that  all  should 
come  to  repentance."* 

It  should  also  be  considered,  that  hardness'  of 
heart  is  the  punishment,  and  not  the  original 
cause,  of  sin ;  nor  does  the  hardness  spoken  of 
by  the  apostle  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans, 
necessarily  imply  perpetual  hardness ;  for  of  the 
Jews  whom  he  represents  in  a  state  of  hard-!* 
ness,  he  says,  "  If  they  abide  not  still  in  un^- 
belief,  they  shall  be  grafted  in  again."t 

If  God  did  judicially  haiden,  or  suffer  to 
be  hardened,  those  who  had  been  long  wilfully 
disobedient  to  his  laws,  he  might,  with  great 
propriety,  "  show  his  wrath,  and  make  his  power 
known  in  the  vessels  of  wrath,  fitted  for  de- 
struction"J  by  their  own  accumulated  trangres- 
sions.  Thus  were  Pharaoh  and  the  Jews monur- 
ments  of  the  justice  of  an  offended  God,  and 
warnings  to  succeeding  generations,  not  to  de- 
spise those  long  suffering  mercies,  with  which 
he  waits  the  return  of  those  who  sin  against 
him. 

Seeing  then  that  the  designs  of  our  great  and 
gracious  Creator  are  so  replete  with  "  good-will 
•  2  Peter  iii»  9r  t  Rom.  3U.  23*  ♦  lb.  ix.  22.- 


to  men;"  that,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with  the 
free  a^^ency,  with  which  he  has  seen  meet  to  en- 
dow us,  he  is  ever  willing  our  happiness,  and 
furnishing  us  with  the  means  of  procuring  it; 
"  Let  us  draw  nigh  with  a  true  heart,  in  full 
assurance  of  faith  ;"*  and  trusting  in  that  merci- 
ful redemption,  by  which  we  have,  on  repen- 
tance, the  forgiveness  of  sins ;  "  Let  us  come 
boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  ob- 
tain mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of 
need."t    Thus  will  that  sanctification  of  heart, 
and  holiness  of  life,  be  experienced,  without 
which,  we  are  told,  "  No  man  shall  see  the 
Lord -."J  and  all  will  redound  to  the  glory  of 
God,  who  has  "  shown  the  exceeding  riches  of 
his  grace,  in  his  kindness  towards  us,  through 
Christ  Jesus.'*  § 


«  Heb.  X.  22. 


t  Ibid.  \v,  16. 
j  EpUes.  ii.  T, 


t  Ibid.  xii.  14. 


w 


CHAF,  F. 

ON  DIVINE  WORSHIP  AND  GOSPEt 

MINISTRY. 

Worship  an  act  of  the  soul  towards  God.-^Meetings 
for  VMrship  mat)  be  held  in  silence, "^Public  worship 
an  indispensable  duty — reasonable  and  benefidal.^-^ 
Silent  worship  adapted  to  all  states. — Its  advantages. 
Scripture  arguments  f(fC  it.'— Prayer  a  necessary 
duty, -^ The  qualifications  of  Ministers.'— 'Human 
learning  not  essential  to  the  Ministry. -"No  indivi- 
dual has  a  right  exclusively  to  assume  the  exercise  of 
it, — On  Women* s  preaching, '-"On  preaching  for 
Mre.'— Tithes^ 

JrlAVING,  in  the  preceding  chapters,  treated 
on.  those  subjects  in  which  we  nearly  agree  with 
the  generality  of  Christian  professors,  1  come 
now  to  consider  those  points,  in  which  we  ma- 
terially differ  froni  them.  Two  of  these,  being 
nearly  connected,  are  included  in  one  chapter, 
though  it  will  also  be  necessary  to  consider 
them  separately.  These  are,  Divine  Worship 
and  Gospel  Ministry. 

AVith  respect  to  the  first,  we  consider  that 
worship  is  an  act  of  the  soul  towards  God ;  that 


'  » 


ON    DIVINE  WORSHIP,  &C. 


83 


He  is  a  Spirit;  that  the  soul  of  man  is  spiritual ; 
and  therefore  that,  in  the  performance  of  the 
solemn  duty  of  worship,  words  are  not  essen- 
tially necessary ;  because  He,  who  is  a  Spirit, 
understands  the  language  of  the  Spirit.    Never- 
theless, we  do  not  disapprove  the  use  of  words 
in  our  religious  meetings,  whether  in  prayer, 
praises,  or  in  the  exercise  of  gospel  ministry, 
when  they  are  delivered  under  the  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  which  alone  can,  as  we  appre- 
liend,    rightly  qualifjy  for  the  performance  of 
tliese   important   services.     Hence,   when   we 
come  to  our  places  of  religious  worship,  we 
think  it  right  to  sit  down  in  silence,  and  wait 
therein  upon  God,  for  the  assistance  of  that 
Spirit  which  helpeth  our  infirmities,  and  with- 
out which  we  know  not  what  to  pray  for  as  we 
ought.     Here  we  may  be  favoured,  at  times,  to 
feel  the  Spirit  itself  making  intercession  for  us; 
under  the  influence  of  which,  we  believe,  a  se- 
cret aspiration  will  ascend  with  more  accep- 
tance before  the  Father  of  spirit*,  than  any 
form  of  words  which  may  be  prepared  for  us, 
or  that  does  not  arise  from  a  heart  thus  quali- 
ified  for  verbal  expression. 

Holding  our  meetings  tinder  these  impres- 
juons,  it  very  frequently  happens  that  tliey  are 


I" 


84 


ON   mriNE   WORSHIP 


continued  tiiroughout  in  silence ;  a  state  wbicfa, 
when  attended  with  a  right  exercise  of  mind,  we 
consider  as  best  adapted  to  the  performance  of 
the  soleuon  duty  of  divine  worship:  for  here, 
every  individual  who  feels  his  own  condition 
and  i^cessities,  can  secretly  poar  out  his  soul 
unto  God,  without  distraction  or  interruption ; 
and  here  also  we  can  freely  partake  of  those 
divine  influences  upon  the  mind,  which,  when 
mercifully  afforded,  constitute  the  higiiest  en- 
joyment of  man  upon  earth. 


t 


But  we  are  sensible  that  these  effects  are  not 
always  experienced  in  our  religions  meeting's. 
We  fear  that  some  who  attend  them,  have  not 
their  minds  rightly  exercised  ;  we  know  that  di- 
vine good  is  not  at  our  command:  and  we  be- 
lieve that  the  sensible  enjoyment  of  it  is  often 
withheld  for  a  season,  and  sometimes  for  a  lon<r 
season,  from  the  truly  exercised  mind :  *'  Verily 
thou  art  a  God  that  hidest  thyself,  O  God  of 
Israel,  the  Saviour."*  But,  even  in  this  situa- 
tion, we  think  it  much  safer  to  wait  in  a  state 
of  passive  silence,  than,  by  the  activity  of  the 
creature,  to  rush  unprepared  into  those  external 
acts  of  devotion,  which  we  believe  are  no  fur- 


iMdah  xIt.  15. 


AND   aOSPEL   MINISTRY. 


8^ 


dier  acceptable,  than  as  they  come  from  a  heart 
rightly  prepared  to  offer  them.  A  state  of  hum- 
ble, silent  waiting  and  dependance  on  Divine 
help,  is  so  adapted  to  the  relation  in  which  man 
stands  to  his  great  Creator,  that  we  believe  it 
peculiarly  likely  to  meet  with  divine  acceptance 
and  regard :  "  Blessed  are  those  servants,  whom 
the  Lord,  when  lie  cometh,  shall  find  watch- 
ing."* But  to  those  who  do  not  patiently  abide 
in  this  state  of  mind,  a  very  different  consequence 
is  shown  to  result :  "  Behold,  all  ye  that  kindle, 
a  fire,  that  compass  yourselves  about  with 
.sparks :  walk  in  the  light  of  your  fire,  and  in 
the  sparks  that  ye  have  kindled.  This  shall  ye 
have  of  mine  hand;  ye  shall  lie  down  in  sor- 
row ."t  And  we  ought  by  no  means  to  forget 
the  consequence  under  the  law,  of  offerinc;^ 
strange  fire  to  the  Lord.J 

We  consider  it  an  indispensable  duty,  publicly 
to  meet  together  for  the  worship  of  God;  and 
■^'  not  to  forsake  the  assembling  of  ourselves  to- 
gether, as  the  manner  of  some  is.^'§  It  is  both 
a  reasonable  and  a  beneficial  duty ;  reasonable, 
because  it  is  a  public  acknowledgment  of  our 


L(ikeiii.37. 


t  Is.  1. 11.       t  I^T.  X.  1  to  5. 
§  Heb.  X.  25. 


I 


f'l 


v'l 


86 


AND    GOSPEL   MINISTllY. 


6? 


ON    DIVINE    WOnSHlP 


h 


dependance  on  the  Supreme  Being  ;  and  bene- 
ficial, because  we  may,  if  rightly  exercised  in 
our  minds,  be  favoured  to  draw  nigh  unto  God, 
by  the  Spirit  of  his  Son;  and  thus  experience 
that  communion,  which  is  with  the  Fadier,  and 
with  his  Son  Christ  Jesus;  and  which  the  true 
Christian  travellers  also  have  one  with  another 
in  him. 

In  a  silent  travail  of  spirit  for  this  desirable 
experience,  the  spiritual  strength  of  those  who 
are  thus  exercised,  is  increased;  they  become 
helpful  one  to  another,  in  promoting  the  circu- 
lation of  that  life  in  which  their  fellowship  con- 
sists, and  are,  at  times,  so  united  in  feeling  one 
for  and  with  another,  as  to  attain  to  an  experi- 
ence similar  to  that  which  the  apostle  describes : 
"  Whether  one  member  suffer,  all  the  members 
suffer  with  it ;  or  one  member  be  honoured,  all 
the  members  rejoice  with  it."* 

It  may  be  supposed  by  some,  that  although 
this  mode  of  worship  may  be  adapted  to  adults 
in  religious  experience,  it  is  too  refined  an  at- 
tainment for  those  who  are  in  a  sta  e  of  infancy 
in  religion;  or  who  are  much  strangers  to  it. 
AV'e,  however;  consider  it  as  eminently  adapted 

•  1  Cor.  xii.  26. 


to  every  human  being,  who  is  desirous  of  being 
acceptable  in  the  sight  of  his  Creator.     Where 
is  the  well  disposed  mind,  that  has  not  occasion 
for  an  attention   to  that   universal    command, 
"  What  I  say  unto  you,  I  say  unto  all,  Watch!"* 
This  secret  attention  and  exercise  of  mind  is 
therefore  necessary  for  all ;  and  as  man  is  wil- 
lin<^  to  be  reduced  into  it,  the  weak  and  erring 
mind  may  be  brought  to  the  discovery  of  its 
own  state ;  and  feeling  the  necessity  of  Divine 
aid  to  overcome  its  evil  propensities,  and  to  se- 
cure eternal  happiness,  may  thus  feel  also  the 
necessity,   and    the   qualification,   to   pray   for 
forgiveness  of  past  sins,  and  for  ability  so  to  live 
under  the  influences  of  Divine  fear  and  love,  as 
to   expeiience   preservation   from    tliose    evils 
which  abound  in  the  world,  or  to  which  the 
mind  may  be  naturally  prone. 

l^Tany,  therefore,  we  conceive,  are  the  ad- 
vanta*res  which  result  from  silent  worship.  It 
enables  a  number  of  Christians  to  meet  toge- 
ther for  the  performance  of  this  important  duty, 
without  depending  on  any  man  to  assist  them 
therein;  a  dependence,  which  deprives  numbers. 
of  publicly  discharging  this  duty,  even  once  ia 

•  Mark  xiii.  37, 
H   2 


u 


ON    DIVINE   WiORSHf* 


^e  \ve6k.  It  also  preserves  from  the  dan^erod^ 
fituation  of  drawing  nigh  imto  God  with  the 
mouth;  and  honouring  him  with  the  lips,  whilst 
tht  heart  is  far  from  Him ;  and  it  is  peculiarly 
adapted  to  th«  performance  of  that  worship  iit 
spirit  and  in  truth ;  eonceming  which  our  blessed 
Redeemer  has  given  this  memorable  testimony : 
^  The  hour  comedi,  and  now  is,  when  the  true 
worshippers  shall  worship  the  Father,  in  spirit 
and  in  truth ;  for  the  Father  seeketh  such  t<^ 
worship  him.  God  is  a  Spirit;  and  they  that 
worship  him^  must  worship  him  in  spirit  and  ift 
truth."* 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing  reasons,  many 
passages  may  be  adduced  from  the  scriptures^ 
pointing  out  tlie  advantage  of  silent  waiting 
tipon  God.  In  reading  those  devotional  effii*. 
sions,  which  have  been  transmitted  to  us  in  the 
book  of  Psalms,  we  find  this  waiting  strongly 
and  frequently  inculcated.  The  evangelical 
prophet  likewise  speaks  frequently  of  the  benefit 
of  such  a  state  of  waiting,  in  which  silence  ijs 
either  expressed,  or  necessarily  implied.  The 
latter  part  of  the  fortieth  chapter,  and  the  be- 
ginning of  the  forty-first,  are  so  apposite  to  tlie 


•  JohniT.  23&24. 


AND    GOSPEL    MINISTRY. 


80 


present  subject;  and  at  the  same  time,  so  replete 
with  religious  mstruction  and  consolation,  that 
it  may  be  useful  to  give  them  at  large ;  **  Why 
sayest  thou,   O  Jacob,   and  speakest,   O  Israel, 
M>  way  is  hid  from  the  Lord,  and  my  judgment 
is  passed  over  from  my  God?   Hast  thou  not 
known  ?  hast  thou  not  heard,  that  the  everlasting 
God,  the  Lord,  tlie  Creator  of  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  fa^iiteth  not,  neither  is  weary  i*  There  i* 
no  searching  of  his  understanding.     He  giveth 
power  to  the  famt,   and  to  iheni  that  have  no 
might,  he  mcreaseth  strength.    Even  the  youths 
slwli  faint  and  be  weary,   and  the  young  men 
utterly  fail :   but  tliey  that  wait  upon  the  Lord 
shall  renew  their  strengih ;  ihey  sliall  mount  up 
w  itli  Wings  as  eagles ;  ihey  shall  run  and  not  be 
weary;  they  shall  walk  and  not  famt.     Keep 
silence  before  me,  O  islands;  and  let  the  peo- 
ple renew  their  strengih;   let  them  come  near, 
then  let  ihtm  speak ;  let  us  come  near  together 
to  judgment."* 

But  whilst  we  are  laying  aside  the  outward 
forms,  we  are  far,  very  far  indeed,  from  de- 
siring to  discourage  the  practice  of  true  prayer. 
It  is  a  duty  which  we  owe  to  our  great  Creator; 
and  which  the  feeling  of  our  own  manifold 
•  Isaiah  xl.  a?  to  31.  and  xli.  1. 
H  3 


♦  ! 


90 


©N    BlVINt  WORSHIP 


AND   GOSiPEL  MtNlSTRY. 


9< 


p 


wants  and  dangers,  will  often  draw  from  the 
rightly  concerned  mind.  It  is  indeed  difficult 
to  conceive,  how  any  thing  deserving  the  name 
of  religion,  can  be  preserved  without  it. 
"  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  enter  not  into  temp- 
tation,"* is  an  injunction  delivered  by  our 
Holy  Head  and  High  Priest,  who  in  this,  as  in 
many  other  instances,  has  shown,  that  he  was, 
as  the  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews 
expresses  it,  "  Touched  with  the  feeling  of  our 
infirmities  ;"t  for  he  immediately  adds,  "  the 
Spirit  indeed  is  willing;  but  the  flesh  is  weak.** 
In  this  command,  our  blessed  Lord  sets  forth 
both  the  necessity  and  the  preparation  for  this 
^reat  duty,  which  constitutes  a  very  important 
part  of  religious  worship.  We  are  not  to  rush 
hastily  or  unpreparedly  either  into  private  or 
public  prayer;  but  having  our  minds  engaged 
in  true  watchfulness,  or  waiting,  foi*  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  the  soul,  we 
thereby  become  qualified  to  put  up  our  petitions 
to  the  Father  of  Spirits  in  such  a  manner,  as 
the  impressions  which  he  affords  us  of  our  wants 
shall  indicate.  And  when  we  are  brought  into 
a  humbling  consideration  of  the  many  mercies 
and  favours,  of  which  we  are  unworthy  par- 
takers, as  the  objects  of  creation,  of  redemption, 

"«  Matt.  xxfi.  41.  %  Heb.  if.  lA 


«Tid  of  that  bountiful  provision  which  is  made 
for  us,  we  shall  find  abundant  cause  frequently 
to  offer  that  praise,  by  which  the  Almighty  is 
glorified  :  and  of  which  he  is,  with  the  Son  of 
his  love,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  for  ever 
worthy. 

After  these  remarks  on  religious  worship,  we 
proceed  to  th€  consideration  of  the  subject  of 
Gospel  Ministry. 

The  right  qualification  of  those  who  occupy 
the  station  of  ministers,  is  of  great  importance 
to  every  religious  society.  It  will,  I  presume, 
be  universally  agreed  to  be  in  the  first  place 
necessary,  that  the  principles  and  practice  of 
these  should  correspond  with  their  profession 
and  station ;  and  next,  that  ihey  be  called  and 
qualified  according  to  the  nature  and  principles 
of  that  religion,  which  they  stand  forth  to 
espouse.  To  apply  these  self-evident  rules  to 
the  Christian  religion,  under  its  various  divi- 
sions,  it  must  be  deemed  necessary  for  a  gospel 
minister,  that  he  possess  a  heartfelt  conviction 
of  the  truths  of  Christianity,  as  well  as  of  the 
principles  of  that  particular  society,  of  which 
he  is  a  member;  also  that  his  moral  conduct  be 
such  as  the  gospel  of  Christ  requires.     Whetf 


92 


ON    DIVINE   WOUSIIIT 


J 


there  Ts  any  material  deficiency  either  in  prin^ 
ciple  or  practice,  there  is  reason  to  fear  that 
such  will  do  more  injury  than  benefit  to  the 
cause  of  religion;  as  well  as  render  themselves 
objects  of  disgust  and  contempt,  "  Unto  the 
wicked,  God  saith.  What  hast  thou  to  do  to  de- 
clar*imy  statutes;  or  that  thou  shouldst  take  my 
covenant  in  thy  mouth;  seeing  thou  hatest  in- 
struction, and  castest  my  words  behind  thee  ?"* 

As  to  the  further  qualification  for  a  gospel 
minister,  although  the  definition  already  given 
may  be  generally  agreed  to,  yet,  m  the  applica-^^ 
tion  of  it,  there  exists  some  diversity  of  senti- 
ment. As  the  nature  and  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion  are  the  same  now  as  for- 
merly, we  conceive  that  the  same  Divine  call 
and  intluence,  which  qualified  the  early  minis- 
ters and  pronuilgatoi  s  of  the  gospel,  should  be, 
iu  a  de*^ree  at  least,  experienced  by  its  ministers 
to  the  end  of  the  world :  especially  as  we  have 
no  other  qualification  pointed  out  m  the 
holy  scriptures,  lliis  call  was  "  not  of  men, 
neither  by  luan;  but  by  Jesus  Christ,  ami  (Jod 
the  Father."t  We  believe  that  the  same  is  in- 
wardly and  immediately  received  by   the  true 


•  Psalm  1. 16  6c  17. 


t  Gal.  i.  U 


AND   GOSPEL   MlNlSTllY. 


vi 


•gospel  ministers  of  the  present  d&y;  and  that, 
in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  sacred 
©ffice,  the  renewed  influences  of  divine  wisdom 
and  strength  should  be  waited  for  and  experi- 
enced. Thus  ministers  are  qualified  to  speak 
to  the  state  of  their  hearers;  ami  to  baptize  them 
into  the  name  [or  power]  of  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit;  thereby  fulfilling  that 
true  commission  for  gospel  ministry  given  by 
our  Saviour,  Mat.  xxviii.  IQ. 


Tlie  foregoing  qualifications  correspond  with 
ihe  desciiptioD,  which  the  apostle  Peter  gives 
of  prophecy,  and  which  we  conceive  to  be  de- 
scriptive of  the  essentials  of  a  gospel  minister. 
**  Propliecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the  will  of 
man:  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  w^ere 
moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost.***  Thus  we  see, 
that  both  ancient  prophecy  and  gospel  ministi-y 

came  "  not  of  men,  nor  by  man ;"  that  they  re- 
quired those  who  exercised  them  to  be  holy 
men  of  God;  such  as  could  say  to  others, 
*•  Walk,  as  ye  have  us  for  an  example  ;'*+  and 
that  in  performing  the  duties  of  these  offices, 
they  should  speak  "  as  they  were  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost;'*  or  in  other  words,  as  the  "  Spirits 


•  2  Peter  i.  «1. 


t  PbU.  iii.  17. 


h. 


»4 


ON    DIVINE    WORSHIP 


gave  them  utterance.*'*  If  ministers  are  not 
thus  influenced  and  directed,  we  may  expect  the 
declaration  respecting  the  prophets  formerly, 
\vho  ran  and  were  not  sent,  to  be  verilied : 
"  They  shall  not  profit  the  people  at  all."t 
Nor  should  this  serious  language  he  forgotten : 
"  Woe  unto  the  foolish  prophets,  ihat  follow 
their  own  spirit,  and  have  seen  nothmg."J 

What  is  said  respecting  an  inward  call  to  the 
ministry,  is  by  no  means  peculiar  to  our  reli- 
gious society.  However  the  doctrine  of  the 
influence  of  the  Spirit  may  be  slighted  by  some,. 
it  is  in  this  instance,  as  well  as  ni  its  general 
influence  and  operation,  clearly  maintained  by 
the  church  of  England,  as  appears  by  the  fol- 
lowing question  put  to  those  who  apply  to  be 
admitted  to  the  office  of  deacon:  "  Do  you 
trust  that  you  are  inzcard/i/  moved  hy  the  FIoli^ 
Ghost,  to  take  upon  you  this  ofliice  and  ministra- 
tion," &c.  The  answer  required  is,  "  I  trust 
so."  lliis  doctrine  is  also  consistent  with  the 
general  observation  on  the  priesthood,  made  by 
the  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews:  "  No 
man  taketh  this  honour  unto  himself,  but  he  diat 
is  called  of  God,  as  wasAaron."^     The  writ- 

♦  Acts  ii.  4.  t  Jer.  xxiii.  S2.  %  Ezek.  xiii.> 

$  Hebrews  t.  4. 


AND    COSPEL   MINISTRY. 


95 


ings  of  the  apostles  abundantly  show  not  only 
whence  they  derived  their  commission,  but  also 
the  influence  under  which  they  exercised  it. 
Thus  the  Apostle  Paul  says:  ^  Which  things 
also  we  speak,  not  in  the  words  which  man's 
wisdom  teacheth,  but  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
teacheth."* 

From  all  these  considerations,  we  believe,  as 
is. already  stated,  that  it  is  necessary,  in  the  first 
call  to  the  ministry,  to  be  ^*  inwardly  moved  by 
the  Holy  Ghost ;"  and  that,  iu  xhe  various  per- 
formances of  this  sacred  oftice,  the  renewings 
of  this  divine  influence  and  ability  should  be 
waited  for,  and  experienced,  as  the  most  likely 
means  to  fulfil  the  apostolic  exhortation:  "  If 
any  .man  speak,  let  him  speak  as  the  oracles  of 
God;  if  any  man  minister,  let  him  do  it  as  of 
the  ability  which  God  giveth;  that  God  in  all 
things  may  be  glorified  through  Jesus  Christ; 
to  whom  be  praise  and  dominion  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen."f 

From  our  views  of  this  impoitant  subject, 
tliere  arise  a  few  points,  in  which  we  materially 
diffxir  from  most  other  professors  of  Chris- 
tianity. 

♦  1  Cot,  ii.  13.  #  1  Peter  iv.  1^ 


96 


ON    DIVINE    WORSHIP 


1  .—In  not  considering  humfm  leamiug  esseii« 
•tisil  to  a  gospel  minister. 

S. — In  believing  that  no  individud  has  a 
right  to  assume  the  exclusive  exercise  of  thi» 
ministry,  in  a  congregation  of  Christians;  but 
that  all,  both  male  and  female,  who  are  rightly 
moved  thereto,  may  exercise  this  gift, 

3.— That  this  ministiy  being,  if  rightly  re- 
ceived, received  freely,  and  without  any  pecu- 
niary expense  to  qualify  for  it,  it  therefore 
ought  to  he  freely  communicated ;  and  no  fur- 
ther support  expected  by  ministers,  than  what  is 
authorized  by  Christ,  and  was  practised  by  his 
apostles. 

Upon  each  of  these  points  it  seems  proper 
to  make  a  few  remarks. 

On  the  first  very  little  appears  necessary ;  for 
^f  we  consider  the  holy  scriptures,  and  particu- 
larly the  New  Testament,  as  any  guide  to  us  in 
this  matter,  we  shall  not  only  find,  that  human 
literature  is  no  where  recommended  for  this 
office;  but  likewise,  that  many  of  the  apostles 
were  illiterate  men.    It  is  also  clear  that  the 


AND  GOSPEL   MINISTRY. 


» 


(       I 


«postie  Paul,  ^KMigh  a  man  of  leamuig,  dis- 
claimed the  influence  of  it  upon  hb  ministry,  as 
appears  from  various  parts  of  his  epistles,  par- 
ticularly from  the  first  and  second  chapters  of 
the  epistle  to  tlie  Corinthians,  of  which  the  first 
five  verses  of  the  second  chapter  appear  espe* 
cially  worthy  of  notice :  "  And  I,  brethren, 
when  I  came  to  you,  came  not  with  excellency 
of  speech  or  of  wisdom,  declaring  unto  you  th© 
testimony  of  God:  for  I. determined  not  to 
4now  any  thing  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ, 
und  him  crucified.  --  And  I  was  with  you  ia 
weakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in  much  trembling: 
and  my  speech  and  my  pireaching  was  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demon- 
stration of  the  Spirit  and  of  power;  that  your 
faith  should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men^ 
but  in  the  power  of  God."* 

But  although  we  do  not  consider  human  learn- 
ing as  essential  to  a  gospel  minister ;  yet  we  are 
so  far  from  disesteeming  or  slighting  its  use^ 
that  we  wish  due  attention  to  be  paid  to  it  by 
the  members  of  our  society :  for  we  believe  that 
those  \^'}io  have  it,  and  are  disposed  to  make  a 
jright  use  of  it,  ma}'  apply  it  to  the  promotion 

♦  I  Cor.  ii.  %  to  5» 


9S 


ON    DIVINE   WORSHIP 


of  religion  and  virtue,  as  well  as  to  the  benefit 
of  civil  society. 

With  respect  to  the  second  point,  we  have 
the  practice  of  the  primitive  church  so  decidedly 
in  our  favour,  that  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive 
liow  a  practice  so  repugnant  to  it,  can  have  so 
generally  prevailed  as  it  has  done,  in  almost  all 
.the  Christian  church^es. 

The  practice  alluded  to  is,  that  of  an  indi- 
vidual assuming  the  exclusive  exercise  of  the 
ministry ;  which  is  directly  contrary  to  what  the 
apostle  recommends,  as  well  as  declares  to  be 
the  practice  of  the  church  in  early  times.  This 
appears  clear  from  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  the 
first  epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  where,  first  ad- 
dressing the  believers  in  general,  the  apostle 
thus  expresses  himself:  "  Follow  after  charity, 
and  desire  spiritual  gifts;  but  rather  that  ye 
may  prophesy."*  By  this  prophesying,  he  does 
not  appear  so  much  to  mean  the  foretelling  of 
future  events,  as  the  general  purposes  of  gospel 
ministry ;  for  in  the  third  verse  he  says,  "  He 
ths^t  prophesieth,  speaketh  unto  men  to  exhor- 
tatiop,  to  edification  and  comfort."t  After  this 
general  advice  and  explanation,  he  proceeds  to 


•  1  Cor,  xiv.  1, 


t  1  Cor.  xiv.  3, 


AND    GOSPEL   MINlSl-KY. 


90 


show  the  superiority  of  prophesying  to  speaking 
with  tongues ;  and  then  of  those  who  have  re- 
ceived this  divine  gift,  he  says,  "  Let  the  pro- 
phets speak  two  or  three,  and  let  the  othefs 
judge.  If  any  thing  be  revealed  to  another  that 
sitteth  by,  let  the  first  hold  his  peace;  for  ye 
may  all  prophesy  one  by  one,  that  all  may 
learn,  and  all  may  be  comforted."* 


After  stating  this  unequivocal  description  of 
the  rule  and  practice  of  the  primitive  church,  I 
shall  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  another 
part  of  this  head,  from  which  it  appears  that 
we  admit  women,  as  well  as  men,  to  a  partici- 
pation and  exercise  of  the  gift  of  gospel  minis- 
try. We  are  aware  of  the  objection  which  is 
made  from  tlie  prohibition  laid  upon  women 
speaking  and  teaching  in  the  church,  and  usurp- 
ing authority  over  the  man.f  But  if,  on  every 
occasion,  where  there  is  an  apparent  difference 
between  one  part  of  scripture  and  another,  it  is 
admitted  that  scripture  is  the  best  interpreter  of 
scripture,  I  believe  very  little  difficulty  will  arise 
in  removing  this  objection.  It  should  be  con- 
sidered, that  the  words  used  by  the  apostle  on 
this  occasion,  cannot  mean  tlie  exercise  of  gos- 

•  1  Cor.  xiv.  29  to  31.  t  1  Tim.  ii.  tl,  12, 

1  2 


ioo 


ON    lilVlNE  WOHSIliy 


AI^D   GOSPEL  MINISTRY. 


101 


pel  ministry;  because^  in  the  very  epistle  ftt 
which  he  first  mentions  this  prohibition,  he  give* 
particular  directions  respecting  the  manner  in 
which  women  are  to  exercise  that  gift,  which  he 
denominates  "  praying  or  prophesying  ;**♦  and 
which  he  no  doubt  considered  as  different  from, 
speaking,  teaching,  or  usurping  authority:  for  it 
cannot  with  any  colour  of  reason  be  supposed, 
that  the  apostle  would  give  directions  for  the 
exercise  of  that,  which  he  thought  never  should 

be  exercised/'t 

■i 
In  addition  to  the  preceding  argument,  several 

other  passages  in  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
may  be  advanced,  which  clearly  show,  that  wo- 
men, as  well  as  men,  were  engaged  in  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  or  as  prophetesses  in  early 
times.  Passing  over  Miriam,  Deborah,  and 
Huldah,  we  find  Anna,  a  prophetess  in  the 
Jewish  church,  publicly  exercising  her  gift  in 
the  Temple ;  and  hailing  the  recent  birth  of  the 
Ivlessiah.  The  Samaritan  woman,  with  whon^ 
oar  Saviour  held  an  interesting,  conversation  at 
Jacob's  well,  appears  to  have  been  the  first  of 
his  disciples,  who  publicly  preached  the  coming 

*  1  Cor.  xi.  4. 
t  Sec  John  Locke's  note  on  Cor.  xi.  3.  vbere  he  sup* 
ports  the  construction  here  given. 


r 


^? 


of  Christ ;   and   remarkable   was   the   success 
which  attended  her  ministry.    Women  were  the 
first  witnesses  of  our  Lord's  resurrection,  and 
were  commissioned  by  him  to  proclaim  this  im- 
portant truth  to  his  disciples.    After  his  ascen- 
sion, they  were,  equally  with  the  men,  partakers 
of  the  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  and  we  find 
several  females  mentioned  as  being  prophet- 
esses or  fellow-labourers  with  the  apostles  in 
the  Gospel  of  Christ.     Luke,  hi  speaking  of 
Philip  the  deacon,  says,  "  the  same  man  had 
four  daughters,  which  did  prophesy."*     In  the 
Epistle  to  the  Romans,  the  apostle  says,  "  I  re- 
commend unto  you  Phebe  our  sister,  who  is  a 
servant  of  the  church  that  is  at  Cenchrea."ta-« 
Greet  Priscilla  b  and  Aquila,    my  helpers  in 
Christ  Jesus."J     "  Salute  Tryphaena  and  Try- 
phosa,  who  labour  in  the  Lord.     Salute  th« 

*  Acts  XX.  9. 

•  Tlie  Greek  word  in  this  passage  rendered  servant  is  the 
same  as  in  other  places  i»  rendered  deacon  or  minister.  It 
is  rendered  minister  here  in  almost  all  other  translations.  . 

b  Priscilla  is  here,  and  in  two  other  passages,  placed 
l>efore  her  husband  j  from  which,  and  other  circnmstance?^ 
we  may  conclude  she  was  a  minister  of  no  smalt  emiueneo 
in  the  church. 

t  Rom,  xvi,  1.  t  'Rom,  xvi.  o, 

I  3 


10« 


ON    DIVINE   WORSHIP 


beloved  P€rsis,c  which  laboured  niuch^  in  the 
Lord/'*  And  in  another  epistle  he  says,  "  Help 
those  women  that  laboured  with  us  in  the  gos- 
p€l."t  These  are  passages  which  clearly  evince 
the  admission  of  the  female  sex,  in  early  times> 
to  the  work  and  service  of  the  gospel :  but  what 
adds  not  a  little  to  our  argument  is,  that  this 
-was  expressly  foretold  in  such  a  manner,  as 
would,  if  we  had  no  precedent,  fully  warrant 
the  practice :  for  on  this  subject  we  may  use  the 
words  of  the  apostle  Peter,  and  say,  "  This  is 
that  which  was  spoken  by  the  prophet  Joel : 
And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  saitli 
God,  I  will  pour  out  of  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh, 
and  your  sons  and  y (mr  daughters  shitW  prophesy ; 
and  your  young  men  shall  see  visions,  and  your 
old  men  shall  dream  dreams :  and  on  my  ser- 
vants, and  on  ray  handmaidens,  I  will  pour  out  in 
those  days  of  |ny  Spirit,  and  they  shall  pro- 
.phesy-^J 

«  The  adjective  for  "  beloved,"^  being  in  Greek  in  tic 
feminiDe  gender,  shows  that  Persis  was  a  woman. 

<  Tlie  Greek  words  here  rendered  "  labour  and  \su 
bomred,"  are  the  same  as  the  apostle  uses  when  he  speaks 
9f  hioBelf  labouring  in  the  gospel. 

•  R»m.  xtL  1«,  13.  t  Ph».  ir.  3, 

*  Acts  ii.  16  to  18. 


I 


AND   GOSPEL  MINISTRY. 


105 


We  come  now  to  the  third  point,  viz.  the 
maintenance  which  is  allowed  to  the  ministers 
of  the  gospel.     On  this  subject  the  direction* 
of  our  blessed  Lord  are  so  particular,  that,  wilb 
the  practice  of  his  apostles,  they  set  the  matter 
in  a  very  clear  point  of  view-    ^fhe  directions, 
so  far  as  they  relate  to  this  subject,  I  shall  tran- 
scribe from  the  tenth    chapter  of   Matthew, 
when  Christ  sent  forth  the  twelve  apostles  on 
their  first  mission:  "  Heal  the  sick,  cleanse  the 
lepers,  raise  the  dead,  cast  out  devils :  freely  ye 
have   received,   freely  give.     Provide  neither 
«yold,  nor  silver,  nor  brass  in  your  purses : — for 
Ae  workman  is  worthy  of  his  meat.     And  into 
whatsoever  city  or  town  ye  shall  enter,  inquire 
who  in  it  is  worthy,  and  tlierein  abide  till  ye  go 
thence.— And  whosoever  shall  not  receive  you, 
nor  hear  your  words,  \\hen  ye  depart  out  of  that 
house  or  city,  shake  off  the  dust  Of  yoiu:  feet"* 

In  the  foregoing  passage,  we  have  directions 
for  the  conduct  of  the  ministers  of  Christ,  both 
when  their  ministry  is  received,  and  when  it  is 
rejected.  In  the  former  case,  all  that  is  pro- 
vided is  temporary  accommodation,  whilst  tra- 
velling in  the  work  of  the  ministry ;  or  so  en- 

•  Afatt.  X.  8  to  14. 


104 


ON    DIVINE   WORSHIP 


gaged  therein,  as  to  prevent  their  attention  to 
their  temporal  occupations.    In  the  latter  case, 
they  are  by  no  means  authorized  to  extort  a 
forced  maintenance ;  but,  as  a  testimony  against 
those  who  reject  them,   they  are  directed  to 
shake    off  the  dust  that  cleaved  to  their  feet^ 
Well  would  it  have  been  for  the  Christian  reli- 
gion, had  its  ministers,  under  all  denominations^ 
adhered  to  their  Lord's  instructions  on  this  sub- 
ject; and  acted  with  that  noble  disinterested- 
ness which  he  inculcates,  and  which  we  find 
practised  by  his  immediate  followers,  so  as  to 
enable  one  of  them  to  say,  "  I  seek  not  your's, 
but  you."*     And  here  I  cannot  well  avoid  ex- 
pressing great  regret  for  the  wound,  which,  there 
is  reason  to  believe,  Christianity  has  received, 
and  still  receives,  from  a  lucrative  establishment 
for  ministers ;  a  circumstance  which  holds  out 
a  temptation  for  imqualified,  and  even  immoral 
men,  to  seek  for,  and  get  into  that  office,  with 
110  better  motive  (I  believe  it  will  be  generally 
allowed)  than  that  which  it  was  foretold  would 
actuate  the  corrupted  sons  of  Eli ;  "  Put  me,  I 
pray  thee,  into  one  of  the  priest's  offices,  that  I 
may  eat  a  piece  of  bread."+ 


#    I   ^ 


AND  COSPEL   MlNlStRt. 


105 


•  jCor»xii.  14. 


t  1  Sam.  li.  $6. 


We  are  aware  of  the  argnments   advanced 
from  some  expressions  of  the  apostle  Paul,  in 
favour  of  an  established  support  for  ministers  ; 
and  which  I  apprehend  are  all  comprised  in  the 
following  words  of  this  apostle :  "  Do  ye  not 
know^   that  they  which   minister  about  holy 
things,  live  of  the  things  of  the  temple ;  and 
they  which  wait  at  the  altar,  are  partakers  with 
the  altar  ?  Even  so  hath  the  Lord  ordained,  that 
they  which  preach  the  gospel,  should  live  of 
the  gospel.*'*     Now  all  this  only  proves  a  sup- 
port consistent  with  what  "  the  Lr>rd  hath  or- 
dained,**  and  which  is  already  given  in  his  own 
words.     This  we  readily  admit,  and  adopt  in 
our  practice  ;  but  surely  no  one  can  infer,  from 
the  foregoing  passages,  that  ministers  are  to  be 
provided  with  a  settled  maintenance ;  and  not  to 
labour  with  their  hands,  or  be  engaged  in  the 
usual  occupations  of  life  for  their  own  support, 
and  that  of  their  families. 

That  we  are  justified  in  the  construction 
given  of  our  Lord's  direction,  and  the  apostle's 
reference  to  it,  is  abundantly  clear  from  the 
practice  which  resulted  from  it  ;  and  which 
cannot  more  completely  or  energetically  be  de- 
scribed, than  in  the  words  of  the  same  apostle,- 

•  iCor.  ix.  13,  14. 


l 


100 


ON    DIVINE   WORSHIP 


contained  in  his  most  excellent  address  to  the 
elders  of  Ephesus,  which  he  concludes  in  this 
memorable  language :  "  I  have  coveted  no  maa's 
silver,  or  gold,  or  apparel ;  yea,  you  yourselves 
know  that  these  hands  have  ministered  unto  my 
necessities,  and  to  them  that  were  with  me.  I 
have  showed  you  all  things,  how  that  so  labour- 
ing, ye  ought  to  support  the  weak,  and  to  re- 
member the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he 
said.  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive.  * 

These  being  our  sentiments  on  this  important 
subject,  we  make  no  provision  for  the  support 
of  our  ministers,  further  than  the  discharge  of 
those  expenses,  which  travelling  in  their  reli- 
gious services  necessarily  occasions  ;  and  if  we 
make  no  provision  for  the  support  of  our  own 
ministers,  whose  ministry  we  approve,  we  think 
ourselves  fully  warranted  in  declining  to  contri- 
bute to  the  support  of  others,  and  of  a  worship 
connected  with  them,  from  both  of  which  we 
conscientiously  dissent.  A  ministry  with  a 
settled  maintenance,  forced  even  from  those, 
who  so  far  disapprove  of  their  establishment, 
as  to  withdraw  from  their  teaching,  is  so  evi- 
dently   incompatible   with    the    doctrine    and 

*  Acts  XX.  33  to  35. 


ANB   GOSPEL   MINISTRY. 


f07 


practice  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  that  I  think 
it  unnecessary  to  say  more  to  justify  our  prin- 
ciples in  this  respect.     But  although  it  appears 
to  me  to  be  a  system  so  deeply  injurious  to  the 
interests  of  true  religion,  1  have  no  doubt  that 
many,  not  seemg  the  subject  m  the  same  point 
of  view,   have  seriously   entered,    under  these 
circumstances,    into    this    vocation  ;    and    are 
piously  concerned  to  discharge   the   duties  of 
their  station.     These  should   be  left  to  their 
own  master,    to  whom  we  must  all,    at  last;, 
either  stand  or  fall. 

After  what  has  been    said    respecting  the 
general  maintenance  of  gospel  ministers,  it  ap- 
pears superfluous  to  enter  into  argument  against 
that  most  objectionable  and  anti-christian  mode 
of  support   by   tithes.     Their  divine    right  is 
generally  exploded  and  abandoned  ;  their  impo- 
licy  is    almost    as   universally  acknowledgrj. 
How   far  the  testimony  which  we  have  bcrrne 
against  them  may  have  contributed  to  produce 
these  effects,  is  not  for  me  to  determine ;  but 
it  is  hop^d  that  so   long  as  this  yoke  remains, 
that  testimony  will  continue  to  be  maintained, 
with  the  firmness  and  meekness  which  should 
ever  \)e    united    in   the  support  of  religious 
truths. 


CHAP.  VL 
ON  fiAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

Preliminary  Obgercations.-^Two  Kinds  of  Baptism^^ 
Wattr  and  the  Spirit. — Remarks  on  Matt,  xxviii- 
]  9.— 'jT^w  and  other  Argument4  iihjavour  rf  Water 
Baptism  answered.  SprinkUng  not  Baptism.-^ 
Sprinkling. q f  Infanis  not  authorised  by  Script ure.-^» 
Circumstances  attendimg  it  highly  objectionable. ^^The 
Lord's  Supper. '-'The  Circumstances  attending  it 
folly  admitted.  I^ot  considered  perpetual^  any  more 
than  uashing  of  Feet.^^The  true  Lord's  Supper.-^ 
Our  Dissent  on  these  Subjects ^  not  Jroni  Disesteeut 
•of'  Christianity t  but  the  reverse. 

JUEFORE  ^nterbg  into  a  separate  consi- 
deration of  these  subjects,  I  shall  premise  a 
few  words  on  the  nature  of  religious  observances 
and  ceremonies.  These  appear  to  me  to  be  ge- 
nerally local  or  temporary ;  ajid,  if  we  may 
judge  from  what  we  read  ta  tlie  New  Testa- 
ment, we  may  safely  concUide,  that  the  use  of 
them  is  variable.  There  is  not  a  practice 
more  strictly  enjoined  by  our  blessed  Lord,  and 
that  both  by  precept  and  example,  than  the 
washing  of  each  other's  feet,  as  related  by  the 


. 


ON"  fiAPTISM  AN»  THE  SUPPER.  19$ 

evangelist  John,  chap.  xiii.  But  who,  consider- 
ing the  different  local  circumstances,  believes 
tiiis  to  be  a  duty  now  incumbent  upon  us  ?  The 
apostles  who  met  at  Jerusalem,  to  considei* 
the  attempt  of  some  Jewish  Christians,  to  im- 
pose the  rite  of  circumcision  on  those  Gentiles 
who  embraced  Christianity,  came  to  a  solemn, 
and  no  doubt,  right  conclusion  on  such  things, 
as  it  was  then  deemed  necessary  to  observe  ;* 
yet  none  of  these,  except  one  of  a  moral  nature^ 
is  now  considered  obligatory.  Nay,  we  even 
find  the  apostle  Paul,  a  few  years  after,  en- 
forcing a  liberty  with  respect  to  meats  offered 
to  idols,  which  this  decree  certainly  does  not 
wairant ;  a  decree  which  there  is  great  reason  to. 
believe  he  had  himself  united  in  formino-. 

The  Christian  church  was  at  that  time  just 
emerging  from  the  ceremonies  of  Judaism, 
and  the  superstitions  of  Heathenism.  In 
this  state  of  things,  "  it  seemed  good  to  the 
Holy  Ghost,"  gradually  to  remove  those  legal 
observances  and  ceremonies  connected  with 
the  Mosaic  dispensation;  and  not  to  enjoio 
an  immediate  disregard  to  the  whole  of  them 
at  onc^.     It  was  the  morning  of  the  gospel 

•  Acts   XT. 


no       ON    BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPEH. 

day ;  and  if  the  brightness  of  that  morning 
has  been  greatly  obscured,  which  I  appre* 
hend  all  protestants  agree  with  us  in  believing ; 
and  that  the  sun  has  been  prevented  from  shin- 
ing forth  with  meridian  splendour,  by  the  dark- 
ness of  many  unnecessary  observances  and  tradi- 
tions, which  were  afterwards  introduced  into  the 
Christian  church;  wb  must  indeed  regret  the 
circumstance :  but  when  further  light  is  renewed 
and  afforded,  ought  we  not  to  avail  ourselves  of 
its  advantages,  and  endeavour  to  stand  open  to 
those  further  discoveries,  which  are  consistent 
with  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  gospel ;  and 
which  naay  be  supported  as  such,  by  the  doc- 
trines contained  in  the  Holy  Scriptures^  particu- 
larly in  the  New  Testament  ? 

After  making  these  general  remarks,  we  may 
proceed  to  the  .consideration  of  die  subject  of 
Baptism.  Of  this  Wie  find  two  kuids  mentioned 
in  the  New  Testament ;  namely.  Baptism  with 
Water,  and  Baptism  with  the  Spirit.  The  for- 
mer was,  in  some  degree,  in  use  under  the  Jewish 
law;  and  some  writers  mention  that  it  was  occa- 
sionally both  added  to  circumcision,  and  substi- 
tuted for  it,  in  the  admission  of  proselytes. 
When  the  forerunner  of  our  Lord  appeared  to 


ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER.         lil 

fulfil  his  mission,  he  made  particular  use  of  this 
ceremony ;  and  from  him  it  was  called  the  Bap- 
tism of  John.  From  this  practice  among  the 
Jews,  and  by  John  the  baptist,  ^^'^ater  Baptism 
appears  to  have  been  introduced  into  the  Chris- 
tian church,  as  the  mode  of  acknowledging  its 
converts ;  but  we  conceive  it  was  no  more  an 
essential  pai t  of  Christianity,  than  other  Jewish 
ceremonies,  for  a  time  practised  by  the  early 
Christians. 

It  is  clear  that  John  considered  his  dispensa^ 
tion  and  baptism  as  only  temporary;  nor  does 
he,  as  a  substitute  for  his  baptism  refer  his 
disciples  to  any  other  baptism  with  water,  to 
be  instituted  by  Christ.  On  the  contrary,  he 
plainly  shows,  that  the  baptism  which  was  to  su- 
persede his,  was  to-  be  of  a  different  and  a  spiri- 
tual nature,  as  appears  by  these  words :  "  I  in- 
deed baptize  you  with  water  unto  repentance; 
but  he  that  cometh  after  me  is  mightier  than  I, 
whose  shoes  I  am  not  worthy  to  bear :  he  shall 
baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire  ; 
whose  fan  is  in  his  hand  ;  and  he  will  thoroughly 
purge  his  floor,  and  gather  the  wheat  into  his  gar- 
ner ;  but  he  will  burn  up  the  chaff  with  unquench- 
able fire.''*     On   another  occasion  John  al«o^ 

•  Matt.  iii.  11  to  12. 
K  3- 


112        ON  BA1»T1SM  AND  THE  SUPPEB. 

says:     "  He  must  increase,   but  I  must  de- 
crease."*    From  these  expressions,  as  well  as 
from  others  in  the  New  Testament,  we  are  in- 
ducedto  believe  that  the  *'  one  Baptism,"t  which 
now  remains  necessary  to  the  church  of  Christ, 
is  that  of  the  Spirit.    This,  according  to  the 
foregoing  instructiveallegory,  cleanses  the  heartl- 
and as  Uie  apostle  Peter  informs  us,  does  not 
consist  in  putting  away  the  filth  of  the  flesh ; 
but  in  procuring  for  us  «  the  answer  of  a  good 
copscience  towards  God,  by  the  resurrection  of 
Jesus  Chnst."J 

The  practice  of  Water  Baptism  is  principalis^ 
defended  by  the  direction  given  by  our  Saviour 
to  his  disciples,  after  his  resurrection,  when  he 
addressed  tliem  in  this  manner:  "Go  and 
teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost."§  &c. 
But  as  we  differ  from  most  others  in  the  construc- 
tion of  this  passage,  it  will  be  proper  to  enter 
into  a  particular  consideration  of  it. 

It  is  to  be  regretted,  that  Christians  have  beeh 
so  habituated  to  unite  Baptism  and  Water  toge- 
ther in  their  view,  that  they  seem  almost  to  foc- 


•  John  iii.  SO, 
t  1  Pet  Ui.  21. 


t  Epbes.  iv.  5. 
§  Matt,  xxviii.  ]  9. 


ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER.         Il3 


get,  that  there  is  a  Baptism  without  Water  by 
the  Spirit.  Tliere  are  many  passages  in  scrip- 
ture, where  the  words- Baptize  and  Baptism  ar^ 
used  in  a  figurative  sense,  and  in  which  it  is  evi^ 
dent  no  allusion  to  the  use  of  water- is  intended,. 
This  is  peculiarly  the  case  where  these  words 
are  used  by  our  blessed  Lord,  who  appears  never 
to  have  used  them  in  reference  to  Water,  except 
where  he  expressly  so  defines  the  application ; 

unless  it  can  be  intended  by  the  passage  in 
Matthew  now  under  consideration  ;  aiMl  which 
we  think  cannot  be  proved.  There  are  two  in- 
stances in  which,  it  is  apprehended,  all  will 
agree  that  Water  could  not  be^  intended ;  the 
first  i»  the  question  put  to  the  sons  of  Zebedee : 
"  Can  ye  drmk  of  the  cap, that  I  drink  of;  and' 
be  baptized  with  the  Baptism  that  I  am  baptized 
with  ?"*  By  these  and  similar  expressions  m 
the  succeeding  verse,  it  is  evident  that  Water 
cannot  be  understood;  and,  indeed,  it  is-gene- 
Tally  agreed, ,  that  both  the  baptism  and  the  cup 
allude  to  a  state  of  deep  suffering,  and  afflic- 
tion. This  is  also  tlie  obvious-  meaning  of  the 
expression  in  Luke:  "I  have  a  Baptism  to  be 
baptized  with ;  and  ho^v  am  I  straitened  till  it*' 
lie  accomplished."t 

*  Mark  x.  38*  t  Luke  xii.  $0. 

It  3 


114        ON  IBAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

From  these  applications  of  the  words  Baptize 
and  Baptism,  it  appears,  that  they  were  at  that 
time  frequently  used  in  a  figurative  manner;  and 
we  think  ourselves  warranted  in  applying  the 
foregoing  passage  in  Matthew,  with  another  in 
Mark,  chap.  xvi.  v.  16.  to  an  inward  and  spiri- 
tual Baptism.     This  construction  is  much  cor- 
roborated by  rendering  the  former  passage,  as 
the  original  Greek  evidently  implies,  "  Baptiz- 
ing them  itito  the  name  of  die  Father,*'  &c.    By 
this  expression  we  apprehend  is  to  be  under- 
stood, the  introducing  of  the  believers  into  a 
feeling  sense  of  the  power  of  God  in  Christ,  by 
the  influences  of  the  Holy  Sphit;  all  which  the 
apostles  were  no  doubt  frequently  made  instru- 
mental in  producing  in  the  hearts  of  their  hearers^ 
This  application  of  the  Word  '*  Name,"  as  sym- 
bolical of  the  Divine  power,*  is  not  uncommon 
in  holy  writ;  and  we  conceive  that  no  reasonable 
objection  can  be  made  to  it.     Thus  the  expres- 
sions of  our  Lord  unite  with  those  of  the  apostle 
Paul :     "  So  many  as  were  baptized  into  Christ 
Jesus,  were  baptized  into  his  death :''+  anda<rain» 
"  As  many  as  have  been  baptized  into  Christ, 
have  put  on  Christ.'';}:    Tliat  these  expressions 

♦  See  the  Concordances  of  Cruden  and  Taylor,  under 
the  word,  **  Name." 

>  Rom,  vi.  3.  $  Gal.  iii.  27. 


ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SVPPER.         115 

have  no  allusion  to  Water  Baptism  appears  fo 
us  evident  from  the  context;  and  particularly 
from  the  following  expression  of  the  same  apos- 
^e:  "  By  one  Spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into 
one  body ; — and  have  been  all  made  to  drink 
into  one  Spirit."* 

It  may  be  alleged,  that  the  apostles  under- 
stood the  command  in  Matthew  as  applying  to 
Water  Baptism,  and  practised  it  accordingly. 
That  they  made  use  of  baptism  with  water,  has 
been  already  admitted ;  but  that  they  did  it  in 
consequence  of  this  command,  is  not  easy  to 
prove.     But  supposing  this  to  have  been  the 
case,  it  appears  from  various  circumstances,  that 
even  the  apostles  were  "  slow  of  heart  to  believe" 
and  understand  thi»  command,  as  well  as  other 
scriptures  relating  to  the  gospel  dispensation  : 
for  notwithstanding  the  express  charge  to  "  go 
and  teach  all  nations,"  connected  with  the  words 
in  dispute,  we  find  how  diflftcult  a  matter  it  was 
to  bring  the  apostles  to  this  acknowledgment ; 
"  Then  hath  God  also  to  the  Gentiles  granted 
repentance  unto  life."t     Such,  it  is  evident,  waa 
their  attachment  to  the  Jewish  nation  and  law, 
that  they  slowly  and  gradually  relinquished  many 

'  i  Cor.  xii.  13.  t  Acts  Xi.  18. 


I 

»  ' 


116'   QN  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

of  those  ceremonies  which  were  connected  with, 
them ;  and  with  some  difficulty  excused  the  Gen- 
tile converts  from  an  adherence  to  these  obser- 
vances. The  apostle  Paul  was,  however^  mor& 
quickly  introduced  into  the  spirituality  of  the 
gospel  dispensation ;  and  we  think  it  is  clear^ 
that  he  did  not  understand  ourLord's  command. 
Matt,  xxviii.  19-  as  enjoining  the  practice  of 
Water  Baptism  ;  conceniing  which  it  is  univer-^ 
sally  agreed,  that  he  was  speaking,  when  he 
thanked  God  that  he  had  baptized  so  very  few 
as  he  mentions,  out  of  the  great  numbers  conn 
verted  by  him  at  Corinth,  to  the  Christian  faith  ; 
**  For  Christ,  (says  he)  sent  me  not  to  baptize,  but. 
to  preach  the  gospel."* 

It  has  been  argued,  that  this  expression  of. 
the  apostle  is  general,  and  only  implies  that 
Baptism  was  not  the  principal  part  of  his  mis- 
sion. But  we  have  at  least  an  equal  right  ta 
consider  the.  words  in  their  commoi>  accepta- 
tion ;  and  as  sliowing  that,  however  the  apostle 
might  occasionally-  use  Water  Baptism,  as  a 
mode,  of  initiating  converts  into  the  Christian 
church,  yet  he  did  not  consider  it  as  a  part  of 
his  commission ;  and  consequently  not  essential 
to  the  Christian  religion,  nor  to  the  soul's  salva- 


ON  BAPTl&M  AND  THE  SUPPER,         117 

tion.  If  he  had  considered  it  necessary  to 
these  important  objects,  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
ceive how  he  could  solemnly  thank  God  for 
the  omission  of  it.  , 

Another  argument  in  favour  of  Water  Bap- 
tism is   urged  from  the  following  query    of 
Peter,  on  the  conversion  of  Cornelius  and  his 
family :  "  Can  any  man   forbid  Water,    that 
these  should  not  be  baptized  ?"*  &c.     Now  it 
appears  very  probable  from  this  query,  that  it 
^vas  a  matter  of  doubt  among  the  Christians  of 
that  time,  whether  Water  Baptism  was  neces- 
sary to  be  continued ;  and  that  Peter  on  this 
as  well  as  on  some  other  occasions,  inclined  to 
the  continuance  of  a  ceremony,  at  least  partly 
Jewish.     How  closely  even  the  apostles  were 
attached  to  the  Mosaic  law,  and  how  slowly 
their  minds  opened  to  the  gospel  dispensation, 
has  been  already  remarked.     Notwithstanding 
the  various  predictions  of  the  prophets,  and  the 
direct  command  of  our  Saviour  himself  after 
his  resurrection,  it  still  required  an  extraordi- 
nary vision  from  heaven    to    convince   Peter, 
that  "  Of  a  truth  God  is  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons ;  but,  in  ever}'  nation,  he  that  feareth  him, 
and  worketh  j^hteousness,   is    accepted  with 

*  Act«  X.  47. 


118 


ON   BAPTI&M  AND  THE  SUPPER. 


him.*'*  It  was  about  ten  years  after  this-  dv- 
cumstance,  that  the  apostles  and  elders  came 
together,  to  consider  of  the  propriety  of  ex- 
empting the  Gentile  converts  from  the  rite  of 
circmncision ;  and  it  was  not  till  after  "  there 
had  been  much  disputing,"  that  they  concluded 
not  to  impose  this  yoke  upon  them.  Although 
Peter  was  present  at  this  conference,  and  ear- 
nestly promoted  the  decision  of  it;  yet  it  was, 
I  apprehend,  after  this  time,  that  the  apostle 
Paul  had  occasion  to  blame  him  for  his  change- 
able conduct  towards  the  Gentiles,  with  respect 
to  some  Jewish  cnstoms.f  From  all  these  cir- 
cumstances, we  may  account  for  Peters  conr 
tinning  the  practice  of  Water  Baptism,  as  con- 
nected with  that  dispensation  under  which  he 
had  been  educated.  Howevei',  we  have  reason, 
to  believe  that  his  views  on  this  subject  en- 
larged, as  his  experience  in  tlie  service  of  the 
gospel  increased  ;  for  we  find  him  several  years 
after,  in  one  of  his  epistles,,  describing  the  Bap- 
tism that  "  doth  now  save  us*'J  in.  this  manner : 
*'  Not  the  putting  away  the  fdth.  of  the  flesh ; 
But  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  towards 

♦  Act*  X.  34  and  35.  t  Gal.  ii.  11, 12, 13. 

X'.  There  appears  to  be  ao  inaccuracy  in  oar  translation 
of  the  verse  preceding  this  pa8«»age.  Tlie  "  eight  souls  were 
gaved,"  not  by,  but  from  or  through  the  water;  and  manjc. 


ON    BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER, 


119 


God  :"*  a  description  by  no  means  applicable 
to  Water  Baptism,  which  as  it  was  then  admi- 
nistered by  immersion,  did  put  away  the  tilth 
•f  the  flesh  ;  and  of  which  we  may  surely  say, 
as  was  said  of  '*  meats  and  drinks,  and  of  divers 
washings,"  that  it  "  could  not  make  perfect,  as 
pertaining  to  the  conscience  ;"f  they  being  im- 
posed only  until  the  time  of  reformation  ;  by 
which  is  generally  understood  the  gospel  dispeu- 
satioa. 

In  considering  the  various  arguments  on  this 
subject,  partof  the  diversity  of  sentiment  appears 
to  lie  in  the  difficulty  there  sometimes  is,  to  de- 
termine betwixt  the  literal  and  the  fijrurative 
use  of  words,  which  relate  to  it.  Ev^n  water 
as  well  as  fipe  is  sometimes  used  figuratively. 
To  be  "  born  of  nater  and  the  spirit,"^  has  been 
considered,  and  we  think  rightly  considered,  by 
•  some  who  believed  in  the  propriety  of  Water 
Baptism,  as  figurative  an  expression,  as  being 
baptized    "  with    the  Holy  Ghost    and    with 

translators  render  it  in  this  sense.  Also  the  Greek  word 
ttvrirvVQVy which  is  translated  **  fignre,"  might  be  rendered 
antitype ;  a  rendexing  which,  in  this  place,  gives  a  different 
idea  of  the  meaning  of  the  apostle. 

•  1  Peter  iii.  21. 

t  Heb.  ix.  9  and  10.  $  John  iii.  5. 

a  Calvin,  Grotius,  Piscator,  &c. 


§80         ax    BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

fire;*'*  and  we  ought  to  remember  the explana* 
tion,  which  the  evangelist  himself  gives  of  our 
Saviour's  use  of  die  word  Water  :  "  This 
spake  he  of  the  Spirit,  which  they  that  believed 
on  him  should  receive."*!* 

It  is  frequently  said,  that  Water  Baptism  is 
appointed  in  the  Christian  church  as  a  substi- 
tute for  Circumcision  among  the  Jews*  In  an- 
swer to  this,  I  would  first  query,  from  what 
part  of  the  New  Testament  can  the  appoint- 
ment of  one  instead  of  the  other  be  proved  ? 
Can  it  be  supposed,  that  if  our  Saviour,  or  hi» 
apostles,  had  considered  it  in  this  point  of  view^ 
they  would  have  given  no  intimation  of  it  ?  I 
apprehend  that  not  a  single  text,  which  will  bear 
such  a  construction,  can  be  produced.  On  the 
contrary,  there  are  very  strong  arguments  to  be 
brought  against  this  supposition,  from  the  epis- 
tles of  the  apostle  Paul.  He  frequently  speaks 
of  circumcision  as  being  no  longer  of  religious 
obligation.  If  Water  Baptism  was  to  have 
been  its  substitute,  the  occasion  to  mention  it 
wa«  almost  necessary  and  unavoidable.  Yet  he 
is  not  only  silent  on  the  subject  of  Water  Bap- 
tism, as  the  substitute  of  Circumcision ;  but  he 
even  shows  what  is  its  substitute.  "  He  is  not 
♦  Matt.  iii.  11.  f  John  vii.  39. 


ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER.         \ti 

a  Jew  which  is  one  outwardly,  neither  is  that 
circumcision  which  is  outward  in  tlie  flesh ;  but 
he  is  a  Jew  which  is  one  inwardly ;  and  circum- 
cision is  that  of  the  heart,  in  the  spirit,  and  not 
in  the  letter;  whose  praise  is  not  of  men  but  of 
God."*  In  the  epistle  to  the  Galatians,  th« 
apostle  writes  much  on  the  subject  of  circum- 
cision, but  never  mentions  any  other  substitute 
for  it,  than  "  Faith  which  worketh  by  love/' 
and  a  "  new  creature."+ 

What  has  been  said  respecting  Water  Bap- 
tism, is  intended  to  apply  to  it,  as  it  was  ori- 
ginally administered  by  immersion;  and  in  which 
manner,  I  conceive,  if  it  be  of  religious  obliga- 
tion, it  can  only  be  rightly  administered.     But 
it  is  a  singular  fact,  that  by  far  the  greater  num- 
l)er  of  the  advocates  for  Water  Baptism,  and 
those  who  are  most  apt  to  reflect  on  us   for 
laying  it  aside,  never  practise  it  themselves;  but 
iiave  substituted  for  it,  the  sprinkling  of  a  little 
water  in  the  face  of  the  person  pretended  to  bet 
baptized;   and  this  they  apply  to  infants  more 
than  to  adults.     Now  this  I  think  may,  with 
confidence,   be  asserted,  that  Sprinkling  is  not 
Baptism;  but  if  it  must  have  a  name  of  Greek 

*  Rom.  ii.  28  and  29.  t  Gal.  r.  6.  aqd  W.  15. 

I. 


122         ON    BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

derivation,  should  be  called  Rantism.  Besides, 
it  is  a  ceremony,  which  has  neither  precept  nor 
example  in  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  the  few  argu- 
ments for  it  being  drawn  from  equivocal  sup- 
positions. For  any,  therefore,  to  censure  us 
for  the  disuse  of  Water  Baptism,  who  have 
themselves  laid  aside  the  use  of  it,  and  substi- 
tuted something  else  in  its  stead,  is  not  a  little 
extraordinary.  Which  way  soever  it  is  admi- 
nistered, it  may  be  an  innocent  ceremony  to 
those  who  consider  it  as  a  religious  duty. 

But  althougii  the  baptizing  or  sprinkling  of 
Infants  may  be  innocent  in  itself,  there  are 
some  circumstances  attending  its  administra- 
tion, at  least  by  the  Church  of  England,  which 
may  be  seriously  injurious.  To  say,  after  a 
child  has  passed  this  ceremony;  "  We  yield 
thee  hearty  thanks,  most  merciful  Father,  that 
it  hath  pleased  thee  to  regenerate  this  infant 
Avith  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  to  receive  him  for  thy 
own  child  by  adoption ;  and  to  incorporate  him 
into  thy  holy  church ;"  is  saying  u^at,  I  think, 
neither  reason  nor  revelation  will  support ;  and 
if  it  is  seriously  believed,  must  lead  those 
who  have  passed  through  this  ceremony,  when 
thev  arrive  to  years  of  consideration,  to  a  very 
mistaken  apprehension  of  their  own  state. 


ON    BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 


10,3 


Another  part  of  this  ceremony,  and  which 
results  from  administering  it  to  infants,  appears 
to  me  to  be  very  objectionable,     lliat  which  I 
allude  to  is,  the  engagement  which  those  enter 
into,  who  become  sureties  for  baptized  children. 
In  performing  this  ceremony,  the  priest  says : 
"  This  infant  must  also  faithfully,  for  his  part, 
promise  by  you  that  are  his  sureties,  (until  he 
come  of  age  to  take  it  upon  himself,)  that  he  will 
renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  and  con- 
stantly believe  God's  Holy  Word,  and  obedi- 
ently  keep   his   commandments.      I   demand, 
therefore.  Dost  tliou,  in  the  name  of  tliis  child, 
renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  the  vam 
pomp  and  glory  of  the  world,  with  all  covetous 
desire*  of  the  same,  and  the  carnal  desires  of 
the  flesh,  so  that  thou  wilt  not  follow  nor  be 
led  by  them  ?  Answer,  I  renounce  them  all." 
Now  I  appeal  to  those  who  are  well  acquainted 
with  this  practice,  whether  they,  who  thus  en- 
gage,   do    really   perform    their    engagement. 
Does  it  clearly  appear  (as  it  certainly  ought  to 
do)  that  they  always  intend  it  when  they  make 
it?  Is  their  own  conduct  such  as  correspond* 
with  the  engagement,  into  which  they  have  en- 
tered ?  And  do  they,  afterwards,  follow  up  this 
eugagemeut  by  means  adapted  to  the  end?  Or^ 

L  2 


124         ON   BAPTISM  AN3)  THE  SUPPER. 

is  not  this  solemn  covenant,  which  is  attended 
with  the  most  solemn  circumstances,  often 
lightly  entered  into,  and  as  lightly  violated? 
Let  those  who  are  promoting  a  practice,  in- 
volving in  it  a  conduct  so  repugnant  both  to 
religion  and  morality,  seriously  consider  what 
they  are  doing;  and  then  I  believe  they  will  see 
this  practice  in  an  awful  point  of  view ;  and  not 
be  very  censorious  on  us,  for  lajing  aside  a 
jceremony,  which  we  think  we  have  good  rea- 
lign to  believe  is  not  an  essential  part  of  Chris- 
tianity ;  and  of  which  their  own  practice  abmi- 
dantly  convinces  us,  tliat  the  abuse  greatfy 
exceeds  the  use. 

We  are,  however,  sensible  that  the  abuse  of 
any  thing,  in  itself  good  and  necessary,  is  not  a 
sufficient  reason  for  its  disuse,  nor  do  we  rest 
©ur  arguments  upon  it.  It  is  now  left  to  the 
serious  consideration  of  the  reader,  whether 
Water  Baptism  can  be  considered  as  an  essen- 
tial of  Christianity,  or,  whether  it  may  not  b^ 
regarded  as  one  of  those  "  divers  washings,^ 
which  were  only  temporarily  imposed ;  and 
which  were  gradually  to  vanish  away  and  cease: 
"  Christ  being  come,  a  high  Priest  of  good 
things  to  come,— by  his  own  bloody,  entered 


ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER.         12j 

once  into  the  holy  place,  having  obtained  eternal 
redemption  for  us;"»  thus,  ''  blotting  out  the 
hand-writing  of  ordinances  that  was  against  us, 
which  was  contrary  to  us,  he  took  it  out  of  the 
way,  nailing  it  to  his  cross."t 

After  what  has  been  said  on  the  subject  of 
religious  ceieraonies  in  general,  and  on  Baptism 
in  particular,  it  may  not  be  necessary  to  add 
much  on  what   is  called  the  Lord's  Supper. 
We  admit  that  a  ceremony,  under  this  nanre, 
was  in  use  in  the  primitive  church ;   and  most 
probably  arose  from  the  circumstances  which 
occurred,  when  our  blessed  Lord  ate  the  last 
passover  with  his  disciples  :  but  we  do  not  think 
that,  thence,  an  obligation  arises  upon  Chris- 
tians in  general,  to  retain  this  ceremony.     It 
was,  like  Baptism,  derived  from  a  Jewish  cus- 
tom; and  when  this  dispensation  was  about  to 
be  superseded  by  that  of  the  gospel,  it  appears 
(as  has  already  been  observed)  that  this  change 
was  <yradual,  and  the  former  dispensation  not 
wholly  laid  aside  at  once.     Admitting  there- 
fore, as  we  do,  all  the  circumstances  related  on 
this  subject ;  we  cannot  conceive,  that  a  recom- 
mendation  by   Christ,    to   his   most    intimate 


•  Heb.  ix.  U  and  12. 
fc  3 


t  Cul.  ii.  li. 


126       ON    BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

friends  and  immediate  followers,  that  in  future, 
when  they  kept  the  passover,  they  should  have 
tlieir  dear  Lord  and  Master  particularly  in  re- 
membrance, does  constitute  an  obligation  upoa 
all  those  that  should  hereafter  believe  on  hi* 
name.  To  desire  them  to  eat  that  bread  and 
drink  that  cup  in  remembrance  of  him,  with  this 
addition,  "  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,"*  is,  we  be- 
lieve, a  very  insufficient  foundation  for  the 
superstructure  which  has  been  raised  upon  it. 

It  has  already  been  remarked,  that  the  wash- 
ing of  one  another's  feet  was  strongly  recom- 
mended by  our  blessed  Lord ;  and  might  with 
at  least  equal  propriety,  be  now  enjoined  as  a 
religious  obligation  on  Christians.  It  may  be 
remembered,  that  our  Lord,  having  washed  the 
feet  of  his  disciples,  afterwards  addressed  theak 
in  this  manner:  "  Know  ye  what  I  have  done 
•unto  you  ?  Ye  call  me  Master  and  Lord,  and— 
so  I  am.  If  I,  then,  your  Lord  and  Master, 
have  washed  your  feet,  ye  also  ought  to  wasb 
•ne  another's  feet:  for  I  have  given  you  aa 
example,  that  ye  should  do  as  I  have  done  to 
you."+  Can  any  thing  so  clear,  or  so  positive, 
te  produced  in  favour  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  or 
...^^vea  of  Water  Baptism  ?  Nevertheless,  we  do 
•  i  Cor.  Hi,  25»  f  Jobn  xiii.  n  to  15* 


!• 


ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 


127 


not  hear  of  this  practice,  thus  plainly  enjoined, 
being  recommended  at  this  day,  at  least  by 
Protestants,  as  a  Christian  duty.  And  why  ? 
Because  it  is  considered,  as  we  consider  the 
others,  of  a  local  or  temporary  nature.  If  a 
church,  or  congregation  of  Christians,  can,  ia 
one  case,  dispense  with  the  use  of  a  religious 
ceremony,  it  certainly  has  the  same  right  to  da 
so  in  another. 


The   washing   of  the   feet  was  a  mark  of 

humility,    as   the   supper   was   of   love ;    and- 

where   the   thing    signified    is   felt    and   acted 

upon,  the  emblem  might,  in  our  apprehension, 
be  either  used  or  disused,   as  Christians  may 

consider  most  conducive  to  the  real  advantage 
of  the  church.     We  believe,  however,  that  re- 
taining these  ceremonies  has,  in  general,  a  ten- 
dency to  settle  the  minds  of  the  professors  of 
Christianity  in  unnecessary  forms ;  and  to  pre- 
vent their  aspiring  sufficiently  after  the  practice 
©f  real  and  vital  Christianity.     The  importance 
attached  to  this  ceremony,  we  conceive,  justifies 
our  apprehensions  in  this  respect ;  and  the  abuse 
nvhich    frequently   attends    its    administration, 
must,  we  think  in  this  case,  as  in  that  of  Bap- 
tism,  greatly  exceed  its  use.      We  doubt  not 
the  sincerity  and  piety,  with  which  this  cere- 


•       I'l 


i28         ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 

raony  is  frequently  administered  and  received; 
yet  we  believe,  that  the  true  Lord's  Supper 
requires  no  such  elementary  mediums  as  bread 
and  wine  for  its  participation ;  but  that  it  is  the 
same,   and  the  qualification  to  receive  it  the 
same,  as  is  pointed  out  by  this  language  to  one 
of  the  churches :  "  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door, 
and  knock :  if  any  man  hear  my  voice,  and  open 
the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup 
V  ith  him,  and  he  with  me."*     The  experience 
of  this  inward  communion,  this  spiritual  parti- 
cipation of  the  Lord's  Supper,  is  that  which 
ue  desire  to  pronK)te  among  the  professors  of 
Christianity ;  believing  with  the  apostle,  "  that 
the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and  drhik ;  but 
righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost:    for   he    that    in    these   things   servetb 
Christ,  is  acceptable  to  God,  and  approved  o£ 

men.  j 

Our  dissent  from  the  generality  of  Chris- 
tians,  on  the  subjects  of  Water  Baptism  and 
the  Supper,  and  our  disuse  of  these  and  other 
ceremonies,  have,  however,  brought  upon  u» 
much  censure  from  some  of  our  fellow  Chris- 
tians, who  have  even  denied  us  a  right  to  that 
name,  conceiving  that  we  could  not  be  sincere 
•  Rev.  Ui,  20.  t  Rom.  xiv.  17  k  f8. 


ON  BAPTISM  AND  THE  SUPPER. 


129 


believers  in  Christ.  But  oui;  disuse  of  these  cere- 
monies is  so  far  from  proceeding  from  any  infe- 
rior views  of  Christianity,  that  it  arises  from  our 
very  high  opinion  of  it ;  oa  which  ground  we 
cannot  reconcile  these  external  rites  to  the 
great  objects,  and  particularly  to  the  spirituality 
of  the  gospel  dispensation.  We  believe  in 
Christ  Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  men ;  we  believe 
that  he  *^  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own 
blood  ;"*  that  he  is  "  our  passover,  who  is  sacri- 
ficed for  us ;"+  and  Uiat  he  has  "  abolished  in 
his  flesh,  the  enmity,  even  the  law  of  command- 
meats,  contained  in  ordinances;  for  through 
him  we  have  access  by  one  Spirit  unto  the 
Father."^ 


•  Rev.  i*  5^  t  I  Cor.  ?,  71 

t  Ephes.  ii.  15  &  18. 


OF   DAYS   ANB   TIMES. 


131 


H 


ON  THE  RELIGIOUS  OBSERVAXCE 
OF  DAYS  AND  TIMES. 

Exemption  from  censure  claimed  for  their  non-obser- 
vance.— The  observance  of  them  disapproved  by  tJte 
Jpostlt  Paul. — More  injurious  than  benefcial  to 
Religion — especially  Festivals.^  Setting  apart  vne 
day  in  the  -week  approved. — On  Public  Fasts,  4^c.— 
Conclusion  from  Kom.  xiv.  5,  SfC» 

Our  disuse  of  the  religious  observance  oi 
T)ays  and  Times  is  generally  known,  and  i\e 
trust  that,  both  on  this  and  the  preceding  sub- 
ject, we  may  claim  that  exemption  from  cen- 
sure, which  the  apostle  granted  to  the  church 
at  Colosse:  "  Let  no  man  judge  you  in  meat 
or  in  drink,  or  in  respect  of  an  holy  day,  or  of 
the  new  moon,  or  of  the  Sabbath  days,  which 
are  a  shadow  of  things  to  come  j  but  the  body 
is  of  Christ."* 

By  the  law  of  Moses,  many  days  and  times^ 
were  set  apart,  for  the  commemoration  of  vari- 
ous extraordinary  circumstances,  and  for  other 

•  Col.  ii.  16, . 


considerations  connected  with  that  dispensation. 
Some  of  these  were,  for  a  time,  observed  by 
die  primitive  Christians^  especially  by  the 
Jewish  converts,  whose  attachment  to  their  law, 
as  is  aheady  remarked,  not  only  induced  them 
to  retain  many  of  its  ceremonies,  but  also  to 
endeavour  to  impose  diem  on  the  Gentile 
Christians.  This  the  apostle  Paul  was  particu- 
larly concerned  to  break  through,  and  to  assert 
tlie  freedom  of  the  gospel  dispensation,  from 
the  obligation  of  these  legal  observances ;  and, 
though  he  wished  the  believers  not  to  judge  one 
anoUier,  either  for  observing,  or  not  observing 
days  and  times ;  yet  he  could  not  but  consider 
it  an  unfavouralile  symptom  in  the  Galatians, 
that  they  should,  after  having  laid  them  aside, 
return  to  the  observance  of  them  :  "  How  turn 
ye  again  to  the  weak  and  beggarly  elements, 
whereunto  ye  desire  again  to  be  in  bondage? 
Ye  observe  days,  and  months,  and  times,  and 
years :  I  am  afraid  of  you,  lest  I  have  bestowed 
upon  you  labour  in  vain.*'* 

Unless  those  who  are  in  this  practice,  can 
prove  some  command  or  injunction  for  it  in  the 
Xevv  Testament,  of  which  I  know  not  any,  I 

♦  Gal.  iv.  9, 10,  &  11^ 


!i 


I  '■( 


132      ON  THE  RELIGIOUS  OBSERVANCE 

conceive  but  little  more  need  be  said  on  this 
wibject.  If  any  think  the  observance  tends  to 
promote  piety  and  virtue,  we  would  not  judge 
tliose  who  are  inclined  to  make  this  use  of  it ; 
but  I  apprehend  it  as  a  fact  of  too  much  publick 
notoriety,  not  to  be  acknowledged,  that  obser- 
vances of  this  kind,  particularly  the  festivals, 
ar€  in  general  so  conducted  as  to  promote  dis- 
sipation and  intemperance,  much  more  than 
piety  and  virtue;  and,  therefore,  in  every  point 
of  view,  we  think  we  are  well  warranted  in  lay- 
in^y  such  observances  aside. 

We  however  consider  the  setting  apart  of  one 
day  in  seven  for  cessation  from  business,  and 
for  religious  services,  no  more  than  a  reasonable 
duty:  and  we  encourage  the  obseivance  of  it 
among  our  members.  It  has  been  our  practice 
from  the  commencement  of  our  religious  so- 
ciety; and  althougU  we  do  not  consider  the 
rirst,  or  any  day  of  the  week,  as  possessing  si 
superior  degree  of  holiness;  yet  we  believe 
considerable  advantages  to  religion  and  virtue 
arise  not  only  from  a  proper  dedication  and 
employment  of  it,  but  even  from  the  imperfect 
observance,  with  which  it  is  oa  tlie  whole  re- 
garded. 


©N  DAYS  And  times. 


l!)3 


We  are  also  sensible  that  the  duties  of  humi- 
liation and  thanksgiving  are  frequently  incum- 
bent upon  us ;  yet,  from  the  conviction  that  the 
qualification  to  perform  these  duties  should 
proceed  from  a  higher  source  than  man,  we  do 
not  consider  it  right  to  unite  with  those  who 
set  apart  particular  times,  and  adopt  set  forms, 
for  these  purposes.  Besides  this  general  rea- 
son, the  occasion  is  often  such  as  we  can,  by 
no  means,  join  with.  When  war,  or  the  suc- 
cesses or  defeats  attendant  «pon  it,  are  the 
occasion  of  public  thanksgiving  or  humiliation, 
our  sentiments  on  the  inconsistency  of  war  with 
the  spirit  of  Christianity,  prevent  our  uniting  in 
prayer  or  praises  for  victories,  which  involve 
the  destruction  of  our  fellow-creatures ;  and  by 
which,  there  is  too  much  reason  to  fear,  many 
souls  are  sent  unprepared  into  an  awful  eter- 
nity. By  joining  on  these  occasions,  we  con- 
ceive that  we  should  act  inconsistently  with  that 
peaceable  Spirit  which  our  blessed  Lord  has  so 
strongly  inculcated,  and  which  will  be  more 
particularly  treated  of  in  the  following  chapter. 

After  giving  these  reasons  for  our  dissent  on 
this  subject,  I  shall  conclude  with  the  words  of 

M 


334 


ON    DAYS    AND    TIMES.  . 


1^^ 


il 


iii 


:1 


ilie  apostle  Paul :  "  One  man  ^steemeth  one 
4ky  above  anotiier :  another  esteemeth  every 
day  alike.  Let  every  man  be  fulJy  persuaded 
in  his  own  mind.  .  He  that  regardeth  the  day, 
regardeth  it  to  the  Lord;  and  he  that  regardeth 
not  the  day,  to  the  Lord  he  doth  not  regard  it.'** 
*'  Let  us  not  therefore  judge  one  another  any 
more :  but  judge  this  rather,  that  no  man  put  a 
fitumbling  block,  or  au  occasion  to  fall,  in  hk 
brother's  way."f 

♦Ilom.xiv.  5,6.  i  Ibid.  13. 


CIIJP.  PIIL 

ON  OATHS  AND  WAR. 

4tuota(mf  from  Matt.  v.'^Oaths  unnecessary .-^Ar^ 
gumcnts  m  favour  of  them  ansKered^^^Argumentf 
in  favour  of  War  answcred.-^Tfie  Christian  Religion 
the  only  remedy  for  this  cviL 

**  IlE  have  beard,  that  it  haUi  been  said  by 
them  of  old  time.  Thou  shalt  not  forswear 
thyself;  but  shalt  perform  unto  the  Lord  thine 
oaths:  but  I  say  unto  you.  Swear  not  at  all; 
neither  by  heaven,  for  it  is  God's  throne;  nor 
by  the  earth,  for  it  is  his  footstool — But  let 
your  communication  be  yea,  yea ;  nay,  nay ;  for 
whatsoever  is  more  than  these  conieth  of  evil." 


"Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  Aw 
eye  for  an  eye,  and  a  toodi  for  a  tooth  :  but  I 
say  unto  you,  that  ye  resist  not  evil.— Ye  have 
heard  that  it  hath  been  said.  Thou  shalt  loVe 
thy  neighbour  and  hate  thine  enemy:  but  I  say 
unto  you.  Love  yoiu*  enemies ;  bless  them  that 
curse  you ;  do  good  to  them  tliat  hate  you ; 
aad  pray  for  them  which  despitefuUy  use  ^xi*k 


136 


ON    OATHS    AND   WAR. 


ON   OATHS   A^D   WAH, 


13T 


persecute  you ;  that  ye  may  be  the  children  of 
your  Father  w  hich  is  in  heaven ;  for  he  niaketb 
his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the  good;  and 
seudeth  rain  on  the  j.ust  and  on  the  unjust."* 

After  reciting  these  strong  and  unequivocal 
injunctions  of  our  Divine  Master,  I  have  paused 
to  consider,  whether  I  should  say  a  word,  more 
©n  the  subject  of  them;  their  own  force  and 
perspicuity  seeming  to  require  no  comment.     I 
shall  therefore  make  none  upon  them;  but  after 
saying  that  on  these,  and  other  similar  passages 
in   the   scriptures,   we   ground   our   testimony 
against  oaths  and  war,  shall  proceed  to  consider 
the  objections  that  are  made  to  the  adoption  of 
precepts  so  clearly  conveyed  to  us,  and  the 
practice  of  which  would  be  attend^'  with  so 
many  benefits  to  mankind. 

With  respect  to  oaths,  th«  apparent  necessity 
.©f  them  is  so  small,  and  their  real  injury  is  so 
great,  by  profaning  the  sacred  name,  that,  it  is 
presumed  very  few  religiously  minded  people 
will  be  disposed  to  plead  in  their  favour :  and, 
indeed,  it  appears  to  me  difficult  to  find  an 
objection  of  any  importance,  to  laying  them 
wholly  aside. 

*  Malt.  T.  33, 34,  35,  37,  38,  S9,  43,  44,  45. 


Tlie  principsJ  argnxnents  used  by  tbose  whO; 
ttre  disposed  to  plead  for  thesn,  must  however 
be  considered.  One  of  these  is,  that  the  Al- 
mighty is  sometimes  said,  in  scripture,  to  make 
use  of  an  oath.  To  this  it  may  be  answered, 
that  the  Almighty  coaki  not  swear  as  man- 
si\'ears,  there  being  none  greater  than  himself 
to  whom  he  could  appeal;  or  to  whom  he  wa^-^ 
afmena^le  for  the  truth  of  his  declaration.  Be- 
sides which,  we  appi^end,  that  what  He  might 
do,  as  Sovereign  Lord,  may  not  be  proper  for 
us  to  do  as  dependent  creatures,  whose  highest 
perfection  is  obedience  to  his  will ;  and  this 
will  being  expressly  revealed  to  us  in  this  in- 
stance by  his  beloved  Son,  our  obvioiui  duty  ia- 
to  comply  with  it. 

Another  argument  in  fSvoilr  of  swearing  be- 
fore magistrates,  is  advanced  from  the  circum- 
stance of  our  Lord's  being  silent  before  tlie 
Eigh  priest,  until  he  adjwed  him  by  the  liviiw^ 
God.  That  the  high  priest  intended  formally 
to  admmister  a  judicial  oath  to-our  Saviotw,  is 
nrhat,  I  apprehend,  the  context  wiH  not  support. 
It  rather  appears,  that  Caiaphas,  being  irritated 
hy  our  Lord's  sil«ice,  made  use  of  this  express 
^on  in -the  violence  of  his  temper,  and  not  ir^  d^ 

M  3 


r^s 


^N  OATITS   AND   WAR. 


judicial  capacity;  and  until  the  latter  can  b& 
proved,  our  Lord's  simple  reply,  "  Thou  hast 
said,"*  in  no  degree  partakes  of  the  nature  of 
'  an  oath. 


A  third  argument  in  favour  of  the  use  of 
oaths,  is  drawn  from  some  expressions  of  the 
apostle  Paul ;  as,  "  God  is  my  witness  ;''t  "  I 
charge  thee  before  God,"J  &c.  These,  and 
other  similar  expressions,  do  not,  however, 
appear  to  constitute  an  oath;,  nor  would  they 
be  admitted  as  such  in  a  court  of  judicature. 
In  the  beginning  of  our  society,  such  expressions 
-were  sometimes  offered  to  magistrates,  instead 
of  an  oath,  but  always  refused."^  Besides,  if 
these  words  of  the  apostle  are  to  be  considered 
as  oaths,  they  would  prove  too  much,  by  show- 
ing that  he  used  them  in  private  correspon- 
dence, or  communication ;  w  hich  those  who 
plead  for  judicial  swearing,  agree  our  Lord 
meant  to  prohibit  by  the  command,  "  Sweax 
not  at  all" 

«  Matt.  xxvi.  64.        t  Rom.  i.  9.        $  S  Tim.  it.  1. 

f  The  first  affirmation  granted  to  oar  society  instead  of 
as  oalb,  was  a  declaration  *'  in  the  presence  of  Almighty 
God.*'  But  this  not  affording  universal  relief,  the  lejL'isIa^ 
ture  afterwards  indulged  us  with  the  present  form  of  aties- 
tfitioDj  in  which  there  is  do  use  of  the  sacred  Name. 


o:n  oaths  axd  war. 


1^9 


Some  have  also  argued  in  favour  of  judicial 
swearing,  from  an  allusion  to  it  in  the  epistle 
to  the  Hebrews,  chap.  vi.  16.  But  surely  the 
incidental  mention  of  a  general  practice  amonw 
"  men,"  is  not  a  sufficient  argument  for  the 
rectitude  of  that  practice  ;  nor  a  proof  that  it 
was  allowed  by  Christians,  who,  in  comparison 
with  the  rest  of  mankind,  w^re  then  few  ia 
number. 

It  may  perhaps  be  still  argued,  that  the  ends 
of  justice  could  not  be  answered  without  an 
oath.  To  this  it  may  be  replied,  that  if  the 
same  penalty  were  annexed  to  a  false  affirma- 
tion as  to  a  false  oath,  those  whose  consciences, 
are  not  sufficiently  tender  to  preserve  thein  from, 
giving  a  false  affirmation,  would  find,  in  the 
penalty,  as  much  terror  from  offending  against 
one,  as  against  the  other. 


It  has  been  alleged  by  some,  that  this  prohi- 
bition of  oaths  relates  only  to  common  conver- 
sation ;  but  the  context  will  by  no  means  sup- 
port this  construction,  as  will  appear  from  the. 
following  considerations.  Firsts  Profane  swear- 
ing was  prohibited  under  the  law,  and  it  is. 
evident  that  Christ  was  forbidding  what  ther 


f49 


ON    OATHS   AND   WAR. 


law  had  allowed.  Secondly,  Swearing  is  liere 
contrasted  with  forsweanns:  or  false  swearino*. 
Now  this  being  contrary  to  the  law,  whether 
before  a  magistrate,  or  in  private  conversation^ 
tlie  command  not  to  swear  at  all  must  be  equally 
extensive.  Our  construction  of  the  command 
of  Christ  is  further  confirmed  by  the  exhorta- 
tion of  his  disciple  and  apostle  James:  "Above 
all  things,  my  brethren,  swear  not;,  neither  by 
heaven,  neither  by  earth,  neither  by  any  other 
oath :  but  let  your  yea  be  yea ;  and  your  nay, 
nay ;  lest  ye  fall  into  condemnation."* 


Having  said  what  appears  to  be  sufficient  on 
Ae  subject  of  oaths ;  we  come  next  to  consider' 
Ae  arguments  used  m  defence  of  war.  Of  diese 
the  prmciple  one  is,  that  it  is  unavoidable  and  ne- 
cessary, in  reply  to  this  we  say,  that  so  long  as 
mankind  are  disposed  to  live  under  the  influence 
©f  their  passions,  and  to  sacrifice  their  dearest 
interests  to  their  avarice,  or  their  ambition,  this 
plea  will  not  be  wanting.  But  let  us  consider 
yn/kai  proofs  have  been  given,  that  war  is  really 
unavoidable.  Has  any  nation  fairly  made  the 
•xperiment,  and  failed?  Where  is  the  country 
that  has  regulated  its  conduct  b^  that  justice, 

*  James  ▼,  1?,- 


ON    OATHS    AND   WAR. 


141 


that  liberality,  that  love,  that  humility,  and  that 
meekness,  which  Christianity  requires,  and  yet 
has  found  war  unavoidable  ?  Can  we  contem- 
plate  the  characters  of  tlie  individuals,  who  have 
been  the  rulers  of  nations,  and  say,  that  such 
have  been  the  dispositions  which  regulated  their 
public  and  private  conduct;  and  that  still  they 
have  not  been  able  to  preserve  their  country 
from  war  and  bloodshed?  Till  all  this  can  be 
clearly  proved,  the  argument  from  necessity  is 
of  no  weight. 

If,  then,  it  cannot  be  shown  that  men,  living 
and  acting  in  a  truly  Christian  spirit,  have  found 
war  to  be  necessary  and  unavoidable,  the  aro-u- 
ment  assumed  must  be  considered,  as  destitute 
of  foundation.  But,  that  I  may  not  be  thought 
to  reason  chimerically,  I  shall  show  that  a  peo^ 
pie  have  existed,  who,  acting  upon,  these  Chris- 
tian principles,  preserved  their  country  from 
M  ar  and  bloodshed,  even  while  their  neighbours 
were  frequently  involved  in  them.  Pennsylvania, 
it  is  generally  known,  was  originally  the  pro- 
perty of  one  called  a  Quaker,  who  filled  most 
of  the  offices  of  the  government  with  persons  of 
his  own  persuasion.  Had  not  the  conduct  of  this 
people  towards  their  neighbours,  both  Indiana 


i4e 


ON    OATHS   AND   WAR. 


and  Europeans,  been  recorded  by  men  totally 
•uconnected  with  the  society,  my  relation  might 
appear  partial  and  interested;  but  history,  im- 
partial history,  has  transmitted  the  conduct  of 
this  people  to  posterity  in  such  a  manner,  as 
renders  it  unnecessary  for  me  to  say  more,  tliaii 
that,  so  long  as  they  retained  their  ascendancy 
in  the  state,  which  was  about  sixty  or  seventy 
years,  neither  internal  nor  external  war  was 
permitted  to  disturb  their  peaceful  habitations.* 
We  do  not  say  that  occasions  of  difference 
never  occurred:  but  other  means  of  settlino* 
their  differences,  than  those  generally  resorted 
to,  were  pursued;  and,  if  not  found  successful, 
submission  was  wisely  preferred  to  the  pre- 
carious and  violent  decision  of  the  sword. 

•  In  corroboration  of  these  circnmstance!),  the  fbllow. 
inp  qnotatioB  is  giren  from    the  translation  of  a  Latin* 
Poem,  entitled  "  Descriptio  Pennsylvaniae,"  and  written 
in  1729,  by  Thomas  Makin,  after  forty  years  residence  iir 
Pcnatylvania: 

"  On  just  and  fairest  terms  the  land  is  gained, 
**  No  force  of  arms  has  any  right  obtained. 
"  Tis  here,  without  the  use  of  arms,  alone,. 
**  The  blest  iniiabitant  enjoys  his  own. 
"  Here  many,  to  their  wish,  in  ppace  enjoy 
"  Their  happy  Lots,  and  nothing  doth  annoy. 
"  But  sad  New  England's  diSTerent  conduct  shows 
"  What  dire  effect  from  injured  Indians  flows." 
See  Proud's  History  of  Pennsylvania,  p.  211— Note.. 


ON    OATHS    AND   WAR. 


143 


<31reat  pains  are  taken  to  make  a  distinction 
between  offensive,  and  defensive  war;  and  whilst 
the  former  is  generally  reprobated,  the  latter 
meets  with  many  advocates.  It  must,  I  sup- 
pose, be  admitted,  tliat  in  almost  every  war,  both 
parties  profess  to  act  on  the  principle  of  de- 
fence :  and  where  is  the  criterion  which  accu- 
rately determines  the  difference?  But  supposing 
an  extreme  case,  and  that  without  any  provoca- 
tion, one  man,  or  one  nation,  is  attacked  by 
another,  is  there  no  dependence  to  he  placed 
on  a  superintending  Providence  ?  and  have  reli- 
gion and  virtue  no  resources^  but  in  the  arm  of 
flesh?  Were  our  minds  brought  into  a  true 
Christian  state,  the  protection  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence would  be  humbly  and  safely  relied  upon ; 
so  far,  at  least,  as  to  prevent  us  from  seeking 
redress,  by  means  destructive  of  the  lives  of  our 
fellow-creatures. 


Such  is  the  natural  state  of  mankind,  that 
^*  offences  must  needs  come ;"  but  it  ought  to  be 
Tcmembered,  "  that  woe  is  to  him,  by  whom 
the  offence  cometh."  Were  those  dispositions 
recommended  by  our  blessed  Lord,  cherished 
bv  that  which  considers  itself  the  offended 
party,  it  would  soon  appear,  that  war  is  not 


244 


ON    OATHS    AND   WAR. 


SO  necessary  and  unavoidable^  as  is  by  many 
imagined. 

If  sound  policy  were  adopted,  it  would  unite 
with  true  Christianity  in  eradicating  this  dis- 
tressing evil.  Can  any  thing  in  this  world 
compensate  for  the  desolation  and  misery,  which 
war  occasions  in  the  earth  ?  To  the  loss  of  life 
and  property,  with  almost  all  worldly  comforts, 
let  us  add  the  still  more  important  loss,  which 
religion  and  virtue  sustain  from  a  state  of  war, 
and  from  the  military  life  in  general :  Will  it  not 
then  be  difficult  to  conceive  how  men,  who  really 
have  what  they  think  the  good  of  their  country  at 
heart,  and  who  also  consider  themselves  entitled 
to  the  cknomination  of  Christians,  can  promote 
a  practice,  which  is  productive  of  so  many, 
both  natural  and  moral  evils.  In  contemplating 
this  distressing  subject,  we  find  it  necessary  to 
have  recourse  to  that  Christian  charity,  which 
it  is  our  duty  to  extend  to  those  \>  ho  differ  from 
us  in  principle  and  practice.*     I  wish,  how- 

♦  Onr  excellent  apologist,  R.  Barclay,  manifests  the 
liberality  of  his  mind  on  this  subject,  when,  after  amiln*. 
with  his  usual  ability,  in  favour  of  our  principle  against 
war,  he  admits  that  the  practice  of  non-resistance  is  the 
most  perfect  part  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  makes  con- 
siderable allowances  for  those  who  differ  from  us  on  this 
occasion.— See  Prop.  xv.  close  of  Sect.  Ij. 


ON    OATHS    ANB    WAR. 


143 


ever,  for  myself  and  my  fellow  professors,  that 
we  may  faithfully  maintain  our  principles  on 
this  subject ;  being  at  the  same  time  carefid  to 
support  the  doctrine  of  peace,  in  the  spirit  of 
peace :  then  we  may  be  made  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  increase  of  the  government  of 
tlie  Son  of  God,  whose  introduction  into  this 
world  was  announced  by  an  angel,  accompanied 
with  "  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host ;  prais- 
ing God,  and  saying.  Glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  and  on  earth  Peace,  Good-will  towards 


men. 


ffi 


There  are  a  few  arguments  brought  forward  iu 
favour  of  war,  from  some  passages  in  the  New 
Testament,  which  it  will  be  proper  to  consider. 
Of  these,  the  principal  one  is,  the  expression  of 
our  Lord  to  his  disciples :  *'  He  that  hath  no 
sword,  let  him  sell  his  garment  and  buy  one."t 
This  passage  is  generally  considered  to  be  of 
doubtful  signification;  and  some,  who  do  not 
agree  with  us  in  our  sentiments  on  war,  consi- 
der this  expression  of  our  Lord  as  allegorical.  J 
When  the  disciples  replied,   "  Here  are  two 

•  Luke  ii.  13  &  14.  t  See  Luke  xxii.  36, 

*  See  Dr.  Edwards  oo  the  Stile,  &c.  of  the  Scripture^ 

K 


ON    OATHS    AND    WAR. 


147 


146 


ON    OATHS    AND   WAR. 


swords,"  he  gave  tliis  short  answer,  ''  It  is 
enough."*  This  seems  to  imply  that  they  did 
not  understand  his  meaning ;  for  if  he  had  in- 
tended the  external  sword^  how  could  two  be 
sufficient  for  the  number  of  the  disciples,  and 
at  a  time  when  they  were  about  to  be  attacked 
by  a  multitude,  that  came  out,  as  against  a 
thief,  with  swords  and  staves  ?  But  what  seems 
clearly  to  show,  that  our  Saviour  did  not  intend 
to  recommend  the  use  of  the  sword  in  a  literal 
sense,  is  the  circumstance  which  occurred  very 
soon  after  he  had  used  the  expression  under 
consideration :  for  we  find,  that  when  Peter,  on 
the  very  same  day,  made  use  of  a  sword  in  de- 
fence of  his  master,  he  was  reproved  by  him  in 
this  manner:  "  Put  up  again  thy  sword  into 
his  place ;  for  all  they  that  take  the  sword,  shall 
perish  with  the  sword."t  It  may  also  be  added, 
that  it  was  on  the  same,  or  the  succeeding  day, 
that  our  Lord  said  to  Pilate,  "  My  kingdom  is 
not  of  this  world.  If  my  kingdom  weie  of  this 
world,  then  would  my  servants  fight,  that  I 
should  not  be  delivered  to  the  JewsJ'J  Now, 
when  these  important  and  concurring  circum- 
stances are  considered,  can  it  be  supposed,  that 
our  Lord  intended  to  recommend  to  his  disciples 

•  Luke  xxii.  38.        t  Mat.  M?i.  52.        t  John  xvUL  36* 


the  use  of  the  sword,  either  in  defence  of  him 
©r  themselves,  or  on  any  other  occasion  ? 

Another  circumstance  brought  forward  as  an 
argument  in  favour  of  war,  is  the  conversion  of 
Cornelius,  a  centurion  in  the  Roman  army, 
and  no  account  giv«n  of  his  having  reHnquished 
a  military  life.*  As  we  have  not  any  further  ac- 
count of  this  pious  centurion,  than  that  of  his 
conversion,  and  the  circumstances  attending  it, 
no  argument  of  any  weight  can  be  drawn  from 
this  relation.  Some  ancient  writers  inform  us, 
that  the  primitive  Christians  did  not  fight ;  and 
we  may  therefore  reasonably  suppose,  that  if 
the  centurion  continued  firm  in  his  attachment 
to  the  Christian  religion,  he  abandoned  his 
Fiilitary  life.  At  any  rate,  the  silence  of  the 
sacred  historian  cannot,  with  propriety,  be 
brought  forward  as  an  argument  in  support  of 
war ;  or  as  showing  it  to  be  consistent  with  the 
Christian  dispensation. 

It  is  fmther  argued,  that  the  expression  of 
the  apostle  Paul,  who  says  respecting  the  ma- 

•  Acts  X.    The  remarki  on  this  case  apply  to  that  ilf 
Hie  Centurion  mentioned  Mat.  vUi.  5, 

N  2 


.1 


148 


ON    OATHS   AND   WAR. 


gistrate,  "  He  beareth  not  the  sword  in  vain,"* 
is  an  implied  acknowledgment  of  the  propriety 
of  using  the  sword  in  a  military  manner.     This 
argument,  I  conceive,  arises  from  a  misappli- 
cation of  the  passage.    The  sword  here  alluded 
to,  we  have  reason  to  suppose,  was  only  an 
emblem  of  civil   power.     We  are   informed, 
that  one  of  the  chief  magistrates  in  Rome  (and 
it  is  to  the  Romans  the  apostle  uses  this  expr6s- 
jsion)  had  a  sword  hung  up  in  his  court,  as  an 
emblem  of  his  power ;+  and  we  know  that  in 
this  country,  especially  in  corporate  towns,  the- 
chief  magistrates  have  a  sword  borne  before 
them  on  particular  occasions,  as  an  emblem  of 
office.     But  if  the  sword  Was  even  used  in  the 
punishment  of  oflfenders,  it  would  be  no  fair, 
argument  in  favour  of  using  it  for  the  purposes 
of  war,  and  those  devastations  attendant  on  this, 
lamentable  evil. 

These,  and  such  as  these,  are  the  arguments: 
advanced  by  many  in  support  of  an  evil,  which, 
in  its  consequences,  shocks  humanity,  destroys 
morality,  weakens  the  influence  of  religion,  and 
entails  on  mankind  miseries  incalculable  and 

♦  Rom.  xiii.  4. 
i-  Godwin's  Konaaa  AntiqaitieSj  p.  164. 


ON    OATHS    AN'D   WAR. 


ug 


indescribable.  Were  the  ingenuity  of  man  a* 
much  exercised  to  put  an  end  to  this  calamity, 
as  his  ambition  is  to  support  it,  we  should  soon 
find  the  benefits  resulting  from  this  disposition. 
But  it  is  religion,  it  is  the  Christian  religion, 
which  alone  provides  an  adequate  remedy  for 
this  malignant  disorder;  and  wliea mankind  are 
willing  to  receive  it,  in  die  purity,  tlie  love,  the 
meekness,  and  the  humility,  which  its  Divine 
Autlior  inculcated,  this,  with  other  similar  pre- 
dictions respecting  him,  will  be  fulfilled:  "  He 
shall  judge  among  the  nations,  and  work  con- 
viction* among  many  people:  and  they  shiill 
beat  their  swords  into  plough-shares,  and  their 
spears  into  pruning  hooks:  nation  shall  not  lift 
up  sword  agahist  nation;  neither  shall  they 
Icaru  war  any  more."t 

♦  See  Lowth's  Translation  of  Isaiah. 
t  Isaiah  ii.  4. 


N  :7 


CHAP.  IX. 
ON  AMUSEMENTS. 

(aeneral  remarks  on  them.'^^'Rnles  respecting  thcm,^* 
On  Dancing  and  Music. — Necessity  of  properli^ 
regulating  amusements  for  youth, '■^  Propriety  (^ 
avoiding  temptation. 

The  little  benefit,  and  great  injury,  which 
attend  most  of  those  enjoyments,  that  go  under 
the  name  of  amusements,  have  induced  us  to 
bring  them  into  less  compass,  than  the  generality 
of  Christians  do :  not  that  we  are  averse  to  such 
relaxations  from  bodily  or  mental  exercise,  as 
become  rational  beings,  and  tnie  Christians : 
but  the  repugnancy  of  a  great  part  of  those 
|)leasures  to  religion  and  virtue,  and  the  avidity 
with  which  they  are  pursued,  are  causes  of  sor- 
row to  those  who  have  at  heart  the  real  interests, 
temporal  and  spiritual,  of  their  fellow-creatures* 

There  are  three  rules  relating  to  amusements, 
by  which  our  conduct  should  be  regulated. 

1  .—To  avoid  all  those  which  tend  needlessly 
to  oppress  and  injure  any  p^t  of  the  animal 


ON   AMrSEMENTS, 


151 


creation.  Of  this  class  are  cock-fighting  and 
horse-racing:  also  hunting,  &c.  when  engaged 
in  for  diversion  and  pleasure. 

2.— To  abstain  from  such  as  are  connected 
with  a  spirit  of  ha2;ardous  enterprize ;  by  which 
the  property  and  temporal  happiness  of  indi- 
viduals and  families,  are  often  made  to  depend 
on  the  most  precarious  circumstances ;  and  the 
gain  of  one,  frequently  entails  misery  on  many^ 
Of  tliis  class  are  all  games  in  which  property 
IS  staked. 

S. — To  avoid  sueli  as  expose  us  to  unnecessary 
temptations,  with  respect  to  our  virtue;  or, 
which  dissipate  the  mind,  so  as  to  render  a  re- 
turn to  civil  and  religious  duties  ungrateful. 
Of  this  kind,  stage  entertainments  are  peculiarly 
to  be  avoided,  with  various  other  places  of 
public  amusement,  which  have  a  tendency  ta 
corrupt  the  heart,  or  to  alienate  it  from  the  love 
and  fear  of  God; 

The  amusements  of  dancing  and  music,  we 
think,  also  come  within  this  class.  It  may  be 
alleged,  that  these  might  be  practised  in  such  a 
maimer,  as  not  to  accord  with  the  description 


15% 


•  N    AMUSEMENTS. 


ON    AMUSEMENTS. 


153 


given.  Our  Society,  however,  thinks  it  right  tn 
abstain  fro«v  those  amusements^  both-  because 
of  their  frequent  connection-  with  places  and 
circumstances,  which  are  highly  objectionable ; 
and  because  we  conceive  they  can  scarcely  be 
entered  into-  without  an  improper  employment 
of  that  time,  which  we  are  required  not  to 
waste^  but  to  pass  in  fear,  and  to  redeem. 

Were  our  minds  rightly  regulated,  and  our  af- 
fections set  on  things  above,  very  little,  which  is 
called  amusement,  would  be  thought  necessary 
for  those  who  are  arrived  at  mature  age.  With 
respect  to  young  people,  it  peculiarly  behooves 
those  who  have  the  care  of  them,  to  see  that 
such  amusements  only  be  adopted,  as  may  not 
prove  injurious  to  their  religion  or  virtue ;  but 
which  may  tend  to  promote  their  possessing  a 
sound  mind  in  a  sound  body.  Were  amuse- 
ments thus  restrained  and  regulated,  great  would 
be  the  benefit  arising  from  such  restrictions ; 
but  when  we  see  how  ardently  many,  not  onW 
of  the  youth,  but  even  of  those  who  are  con- 
siderably advanced  in  years,  rush  into  dissipating 
and  corruptmg  pleasures,  it  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered at,  that  vice  and  irreligion  should  preyjiil 
to  au  alarmifag  degree.^ 


We  ought  ever  to  retain  a  sense  of  our  own 
weakness,  and  of  our  aptitude  to  fall  into 
temptations,  when  they  are  presented  to  us. 
Were  we  properly  concerned  for  our  own 
most  important  interest,  that  of  our  inunortal 
souls,  this  sense  would  lead  us  to  avoid,  and 
Bot  to  run  into,  temptation.  How  much  those 
amusements  are  either  evils  themselves,  or 
temptations  to  evil,  it  cannot  be  necessary  to 
point  out  at  large  to  those  who  exercise  serious 
reflection.  How  necessary  is  it,  therefore,  to 
attend  to  the  apostolic  exhortatioa:  "  See  then, 
that  ye  walk  circumspectly,  not  as  fools,  but  as 
wise,  redeeming  the  time,  because  the  days  are 
evil."* 

•  Ephes.  V.  15, 16; 


CIIJP.  X. 
ON  DRESS  AND  ADDRESS. 

Our  principle  for  regulating  dress. ^-Scripture  passages 
in  support  6f  it^—An  objection  answered. — Non- 
conformity  to  the  uorld  to  he  accmnpanied  with  the 
transformation  of  the  mind. — Our  peculiarities  of  ad- 
dress supported  by  reason^  by  propriety,  and  by  reli^ 
gion. — On  not  taking  off  the  hat. -^Custom  too  much 
admitted  in  the  conduct  of  Christians, 

On  the  first  of  these  subjects,  our  principle 
is,  to  let  decency,  utility,  and  simplicity,  be  oflr 
chief  guides ;  and  not  to  conform  to  the  change- 
able fashions  of  a  vain  and  fluctuating  world  ^ 
thou<^h  we  may  occasionally  adopt  alterations, 
which  ai-e  convenient  or  useful.  This  is  a 
principle,  the  propriety  of  which,  I  apprehend> 
no  one  will  deny ;  and  it  is  easy  to  suppose, 
that  such  a  rule  must  make  those  who  adopt  it, 
generally  singular  in  their  appearance.  It  ia 
not,  however,  for  the  sake  of  singularity,  thai 
we  appear  different  from  others ;  yet  we  have 
reason  to  believe,  that  even  this  singularity  is 
uot  without  its  use.     It  is,  iu  some  respects^ 


ON    DRESS    AND    ABDRESS, 


loo 


like  a  hedge  about  us ;  w  hich  though  it  does 
not  make  the  ground  it  encloses  rich  and  fruit- 
ful, yet  frequently  prevents  diose  mtrusions  by 
which  the  labour  of  the  husbandman  is  injiued 
or  destroyed. 


The  conduct  which  we  have  adopted  in  this 
respect,  is  supported  by  many  passages  in  holy 
writ.  "  Be  not  conformed  to  this  world ;  but 
be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your 
mind,"*  was  the  advice  of  the  apostle  to  the 
Christians,  who  dwelt  at  the  seat  of  Roman 
grandeur  and  luxury ;  and  at  a  time,  when  this 
grandeur  and  luxury  had  perhaj)s  attained  to 
their  greatest  height.  As  the  female  sex  has 
generally  been  accounted  most  prone  to  ex- 
cesses of  this  kind,  the  apostles  in  writing  on 
tJiis  subject,  have  more  particularly  addressed 
tlieir  advices  to  them :  thus  Paul  says,  "  I  will- 
that  women  adorn  themselves  with  modest  ap- 
parel ;  with  shamefacedness  and  sobriety ;  not 
with  broidered  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly 
array,  but,  which  becometh  women  professing 
godliness,  with  good  works ."f  The  following 
is  extracted  from  the  apostle  Peter's  advice  to 
Christian  wives :  "  Whose  adorning  let  it  not 

•  Rom.  xii.  2,  t  1  Tim.  ii.  9,  10. 


156  ON   DRESS   AND   ADDRESS. 

be  that  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair, 
or  of  wearing  of  gold,  or  of  putting  on  of  ap- 
parel ;  but  let  it  be  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart 
in  that  which  is  not  corruptible;  even  the  orna- 
ment of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  the 
si*>ht  of  God  of  great  price/'* 

It  has  been  objected  to  us,  that  we  connect 
religion  too  much  with  dress.    This,  I  conceive, 
arises  from  a  misapprehension  of  our  principles. 
We  consider  simplicity  of  apparel  and  a  non- 
conformity to  vain  fashions,  as  a  moral  virtue, 
in  the  same  manner,  though  not  to  the  same  de- 
trree,  as  we  do  temperance  and  sobriety.     In 
these  it  is  possible  a  man  may  be  very  exemplaiy, 
and  yet  be  a  stranger  to  true  religion:  but,  be- 
cause this  man  wants  that  which  should  be  the 
niovin<y  spring  of  all  our  good  actions,    and 
perhaps,  in  some  other  parts  of  conduct,  is  evea 
deficient  in  morality,  no  one,  surely,  would  re- 
commend such  a  man  to  lay  aside  that  part  of 
moral  conduct,  which  he  is  already  in  tlie  prac- 
tice of.     Thus  it  is  with  our  apparel.     W« 
need  not  lay  aside  what  is  right  in  one  part  of 
our  practice,  because  we  are  not  thought  right, 
or  do  not  think  ourselves  so,  in  every  thing. 

»  J  Pet.  iii.  S,  4. 


ON    DR'ESS   AN»   ADDRESS. 


W 


A  man's  pretension  to  religion  or  virtue,  should 
not  be  estimated  from  the  plainness  of  his  dress 
and  outward  appearance,  any  more  than  from 
his  possessing  some  other  moral  virtues,  int© 
which  true  religion  would,  no  doubt,  lead  him. 

It  is  iiowever  highly  important  to  us,  to 
maintain  something  more  than  the  form  of 
godliness ;  and,  whilst  we  avoid  a  conformity 
to  this  world,  to  be  careful  to  seek  after  that 
divine  power,  which  will  enable  us  to  comply 
with  the  other  part  of  the  exhortation:  "  Be 
ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind^ 
that  ye  may  prove  what  is  that  good,  and  ac- 
ceptable, and  perfect  will  of  God."*  Thus, 
having  our  minds  and  conduct  rightly  regulated, 
we  shall  fulfil  another  important  apostolic  in- 
junction :  "  Let  not  then  your  ^ood  be  evil 
spoken  of.''+ 

In  our  address  also,  diere  are  some  pecu- 
liarities, which  it  will  be  proper  to  explain ;  as 
our  using  the  singular  number  in  speaking  to  a 
single  persoii ;  our  disuse  of  the  appellations  of 
master,  mistress,  &c.  iu  a  complimentary  man- 


*  Kom.  xii.  2. 


t  Ibid.  xiT.  id. 


158 


ON    DRESS    AND    ABDRESS. 


ON    DRESS   AND   ADDRESS, 


tog 


ner,  to  tfiose  who  do  not  stand  in  these  rela- 
tions to  us;  and  our  calling  the  months  and 
days  of  the  week  by  their  numerical  names,  in- 
stead of  those  which  are  derived  from  tlie  liea- 
then  deities,  &c.  From  these,  and  other  erro- 
neous and  corrupt  practices,  the  Spirit  of  truth, 
in  which  we  profess  to  believe,  as  guiding 
into  all  truth,  led  our  predecessors  in  reli- 
gious profession;  and,  we  believe,  still  leads 
.«s,  as  we  faithfully  follow  it.  Our  conduct  iu 
these  respects  is  so  well  supported  by  the  prac- 
tices mentioned  in  hojy  writ,  as  well  as  by  the 
simplicity  and  reasonableness  of  it,  that  1  ap- 
prehend no  one  will  deny  its  propriety,  even  if 
they  will  not  allow  it  .to  be  necessajy. 

The  origin  of  applying  the  plural  number  to 
an  individual,  and  of  giving  complimentary 
titles  to  one  another,  will,  I  suppose,  be  ac- 
knowledged, by  those  who  have  traced  these 
things  to  their  source,  to  have  been  vanity  pr 
pride.  Besides  this  consideration,  our  practice 
of  using  the  singular  number  to  a  single  person, 
and  of  calling  one  another  by  the  proper  name, 
is  both  more  correct  and  more  perspicuous. 
This  is  also  the  case  with  respect  to  our  names 
of  days  and  months.     Nevertheless,  it  is  not  by 


reason  and  propriety  alone,  that  our  conduct  iit 
these  things  may  be  supported ;  nor  are  these 
tlie  grounds  of  Our  peculiar  practice.    Religion, 
if  an  attention  to  the  examples  and  precepts 
recorded  in  the  holy  Scriptures  has  a  claim  ta 
tlie  name  of  religion,  also  justifies  our  conduct. 
It  was,  no  doubt,  in  allusion  to  the  compli- 
mentary, and  not   to  the  ppoper,  use  of  the 
appellations  of  Rabbi,  Father,  and  Master,  that 
our   Lord  prohibited  the  practice  among   his 
foUowei-s.     Speaking  of  the  disposition  of  the 
Scribes  and  Pharisees,  he  says,  "  They  love  the 
uppermost  rooms  at  feasts,   and  the  chief  seats 
iu  the  synagogues,  and  greetings  in  the  markets, 
and-  to   be  calkd   of  men.   Rabbi,   Rabbi."* 
Ilien,  addressing  himself  to  the  multitude  and 
to  his  d^ciples,  be  adds:  "  But  be  not  ye  called 
ef  men.  Rabbi :  for  one  is  your  master,  even 
Christ;  and  all  ye  are  brethren.     And  call  no 
man  your  father  upon  earth :  for  one  is  your 
Father,  which  is  in  heaven.  Neither  be  ye  called 
masters :  for  one  is  your  Master,  even  Christ."'f 
The  following  expressions  of  Elihu,  a  pious 
young  man  mentioned  in  the  book  of  Job,  are 
also  applicable  to  our  present  purpose:  "  Let 
me  not,  I  pray  you,  accept  any  man's  person ; 
♦  Mat.  xxiU.  6, 7.  t  lb.  8, 9,  iO, 

o  2 


160 


ON    BRESS   AND   ADDRESS. 


neither  let  me  give  flattering  titles  unto  man* 
for  I  know  not  to  give  flattering  titles :  in  so 
doing,  my  Makei  would  soon  take  me  away."* 

With  respect  to  the  use  of  the  singular  num- 
ber to  a  single  person,  it  is  the  uniform  practice 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  and  indeed  in  all  othejr- 
writings,  to  a  period  of  time  long  posterior  to 
that  in  which  the  last  part  of  the  Scriptures 
-were  written.  It  is  not,  therefore)  to  be  ex- 
pected, that  any  allusion  to  a  contrary  practice 
should  be  mentioned  in  them.  We  think,  how- 
ever, that  we  may  consider  our  conduct,  in  this 
respect,  consistent  with  that  "  form  of  souniL 
words/'t  recommended  by  Paul  to  Timothy. 

The  giving  of  the  names  of  heathen  deities, 
Jlc.  to  days  and  months,  is  not  only  inconsistent 
with  "the  form  of  sound  words"  just  mentioned; 
but  also  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  injunction 
given  to  the  Israelites,  as  a  preservative  from 
contamhiating  themselves  with  idolatry:  In  all 
tilings  that  I  have  said  unto  you,  be  circum- 
spect: and  make  no  mention  of  the  name  of 
other  gods;  neither  let  it  be  heard  out  of  thy 


^i^Jolizxui.  2X^,22, 


ON    DRESS   AND   ADDRESS. 


i6r 


t  2  Tim.  i.  13. 


mouth. "*a  It  may  also  be  remembered,  that 
when  the  reformation  of  the  Jews  was  foretold 
by  the  prophets,  these,  amongst  other  things, 
were  stated  as  a  part :  "  I  will  take  the  namo 
of  Baalim  out  of  her  mouth,"t  "  I  will  turn  to 
the  people  a  pure  language  ;"J  and  "  I  will  cut 
off"  the  names  of  the  idols  out  of  the  land,  and 
tliey  shall  no  more  be  remembered. "§ 

There  is  another  peculiarity  in  our  conduct, 
on  which  it  may  be  proper  to  say  a  few  words. 
Our  refusal  to  take  off"  the  hat,  as  a  mark  of 
respect  to  man,  is  generally  known.  The  rea- 
son for  this  is,  that  it  is  a  token  of  reverence 
enjoined  and  used  in  our  solemn  approaches  ta 
the  Supreme  Being,  when  exercising  the  reli- 
gious duties  of  preaching  or  prayer.  On  this 
account,  and  not  from  any  disrespect  to  our 

•  Exodns  xxiii.  13. 

«  See  also  Dent  xii.  2.    Joshua  xxiii.  7.    Ps.  xvi.  4. 

t  Hosea  ii.  17.  t  Zephaniah  iii.  9 

^  Zechariah  xiii.  C.    The  following  lines  are  not  inappll* 
«able  to  this  subject : 

"  The  Pagan  pape  how  far  more  wise  than  ours! 
They  with  the  gods  they  worshipped  graced  their  song.: 
Our  song  we  grace  with  gods  we  disbelieve; 
JtetatB  the  manners,  but  reject  the  creed." 

Hannah  M^h^- 

»3 


♦I 


a63 


ON   DRESS  AND  ADDRESS. 


superiors,  we  thiak  it  right  not  to  confound 
this  solemn  act  of  reverence  to  the  Almighty, 
witli  the  marks  of  respect  to  our  fellow  crea- 
tures. True  civility  and  due  respect  may  be 
better  shown  by  conduct,  than  by  compliment : 
and  we  are  far  from  desiring  to  dismiss  those 
Social  duties  fcom  our  attention  and  regard. 

Many  are  apt  to  plead  general  custom,  as  a 
Unction  to  practices,  which,  were  thoy  impar- 
tially examined,  would  be  acknowledged  to  be 
erroneous  and  improper:  and  it  is  to  be  regret- 
ted, that  the  professors  of  Christianity  should 
retain  so  much  that  is  inconsistent  with  its 
purity  and  simplicity.  If  these  things  cannot 
be  styled  "  the  weightier  matters  of  the  law,"* 
and  we  allow  they  cannot ;  yet,  we  believe,  they 
may  be  considered,  as  the  externals  of  religion, 
and  as  things  which  we  "  ought  not  to  leave 
^undone." 


•  Mat.  xxiS.  ?3* 


CBAP\  Xt. 


ON  CIVIL  GOVERNMENT. 

l^eaceablcness  of  our  principles  a  security  to  Govsfn- 
fnent,'— Duties  of  subjects.'^ Suffering  peaceably 
submitted  to,  when  active  compliance  cannot  be  coU' 
scientiously  rendered. '-'Civil  and  religious  liberty 
vduedj  and  how  best  defended,. 

JL  HE  peaceableness  of  our  principles,  when 
applied  ev«n  to  enemies,  affords  a  strong  secu- 
rity to  any  government  under  which  we  live, 
that  we  cannot  unite  in  any  practices,  with  a 
view  either  to  injure  or  subvert  it.  The  con- 
sideration of  this  circumstance,  attended  with  a 
correspondent  conduct,  has  probably  been  the 
means  of  obtaining  indulgences  for  some  of  our 
principles,  which  ai*e  contrary  to  general  laws. 
Several  of  these  principles  are  such  as  generally 
to  exclude  us  from  becoming  a  constituent  part 
©f  government:  what  we  have  therefore  to  con- 
sider are  the  duties  of  subjects^ 

These  duties  are  clearly  defined  in  the  New 
Testament ;  and  under  circumstances  which 
render  this  definition  peculiarly  strong.  When 
they  were  enjoined^  the  primitive  ChrisU^s 


164 


ON   CIVIL   GOVERNMENT. 


ON    CIVIL    GOVERNMENT. 


165 


were  frequently  under  persecution ;  the  govern- 
ment at  that  time  was  of  a  kind  which  is  gene- 
rally considered  the  worst,  and  in  the  hands  of 
the  worst  of  men ;  nevertheless,  we  see  no  en- 
couragement given  to  any  thing  like  sedition  or 
resistance.  On  the  contrary,  the  believers  in 
Christ  were  taught  to  "  be  subject  unto  the 
higher  powers,"*  "  to  obey  magistrates,"*!*  and 
to  "  submit,  to  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the 
Lord's  sake.— As  free  and  not  using  liberty  for 
a  cloak  of  maliciousness,  but  as  the  servants  of 
God.";}:  These  are  the  principles  on  which  our 
Society,  as  a  body,  have  uniformly  acted,  as 
may  be  seen  by  the  advices  given  on  this  sub- 
ject, in  a  Book  of  Extracts  from  advices  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  printed  in  Loudon  in  the  year 
1802.  From  page  ly  of  this  book,  the  follow- 
in<T  advice  is  taken :  "  We  trust  we  are  called 
to  show  forth  to  tlie  world,  iu  life  and  practice, 
that  the  blessed  reign  of  the  Messiali,  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  is  begun ;  and  we  doubt  not  but  it 
will  proceed,  till  it  attain  its  completion  in  the 
earth  :  when,  according  to  the  prophecies  of 
Isaiah  and  Micah,  "  nation  shall  not  lift  up 
sword  against  nation ;  neither  shall  they  learn- 
•war  any  more."  Influenced  by  these  principles,^ 
y^e  cannot  consistently  join  with  such  as  fornix 
•  Rom.  xiU,  1,       t  Titos  iii.  Ir       |  1  Pet.  ii,  13,  Id 


combinations  of  a  hostiFe  nature  against  any; 
much  less  in  opposition  to  those  placed  in 
sovereign  or  subordinate  authority  ;  nor  ean  we 
unite  with,  or  encourage,  such  as  revile  and 
asperse  them :  for  it  is  written,  "  Thou  shalt  not 
speak  evil  of  the  ruler  of  thy  people."— -Yearly 
Meeting's  printed  epistle,  1775. 

But  whilst  we  think  it  right  to  put  in  prac-p 
tice  the  advices  given  to  the  primitive  Chris- 
tians on  this  subject,  we  are,  as  they  were,  undet 
circumstances,  which  sometimes  prevent  us  from 
actively  complying  with  what  the  laws  of  the 
country  require.  Nevertheless,  we  submit  to 
the  law,  by  suffering  the  peaceable  execution  of 
it,  in  cases  in  which  we  cannot  actively  comply. 
Iliere  are  duties  which  we  owe  to  our  cour 
sciences  and  to  God,  with  which  human  power 
cannot  dispense,  and  of  which  it  is  not  a  com^ 
petent  judge.  The  government  of  conscience 
is  God's  prerogative;,  and  when  it  is  neither 
used  as  a  cloak  of  maliciousness,  nor  abused  to 
the  disturbance  of  the  public  peace,  it  ought  to 
be  fully  free.  Our  Society  in  this  country, 
though  under  some  circumstances  which  bear 
rather  hard  upon  it,  has  abundant  cause  for 
gratitude  to  the  government,  for  the  favours  we 
enjoy;   and  it  is  to  be  hoped,  that  we  shall. 


i 


166 


ON    CIVIL   GOVERNMENT. 


always  conduct  oorselves  so  as  to  merit  the 
continuance,  and  even  the  extension  of  them ; 
"  being  obliged  to  demean  ourselves,  not  only 
as  a  grateful  people,  but,  as  a  Christian  society, 
to  live  peaceably  and  inoffensively  under  the 
present  government,  as  we  have  always  done, 
under  the  various  revolutions  of  government, 
ever  since  we  were  a  people." — Yearly  Meet- 
ing's written  epistle,  1692. 

But,  notwithstanding  our  peaceable  and  sub- 
missive principles,  in  relation  to  those  who  ate 
placed  in  authority  over  us,  we  are  far  from  be- 
ing insensible  to  the  value  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty.  When  these  are  violated,  we  diink  it 
right  to  represent  our  grievances  to  those  who 
oppress  us,  or  who  have  it  in  their  power  to 
afford  relief.  If  this  be  done  in  a  Christian 
spirit,  and  in  a  language  respectfully  strong,  it 
would  be  found,  in  general,  a  much  more  suc- 
cessful, and  always  a  more  proper,  means  of 
obtaining  redress,  than  any  seditious  and  turbu- 
lent proceedings,  or  those  bloody  appeals  to  the 
sword,  to  which  mankind  are  too  apt  to  resort, 
as  the  relief  of  oppression,  or  the  gratification 
of  revenge. 


CHJP,  XIL 


ON  DISCIPLINE. 

37<c  necessity  of  discipline  in  religious  societies. •^Objec- 
tions to  it  answered.  —  Particular  objects  of  our 
discipline  enumerated. — Different  meetings  in  which 
it  is  transacted,'— Importance  of  transacting  it  inu 
right  Spirit, 

Whatever  may  he  ^  inducement  of 
any  people  to  form  themselves  into  a  separate 
society,  it  must  be  on  some  principles  which 
they  assume,  and  on  the  preservation  of  which 
their  continuance,  as  a  particular  society,  must, 
in  a  great  measure,  depend.  It  is  also  the  duty 
.of  every  society,  formed  upon  religious  princi- 
ples, to  support  good  morals,  without  which  its 
pretensions  to  religion  are  vain.  Tliese  two 
considerations  render  discipline,  in  a  religious 
society,  necessary  to  its  reputable  existence; 
and  when  they  are  not  attended  to,  confusion 
and  disgrace  must  follow.  However  excellent 
any  of  our  religious  principles  may  be,  we  who 
profess  them  are  all  frail  and  fallible.  We  are 
;xill  by  nature  prone  to  evil:   and  if  we  liave 


168 


ON  DISCIPLINE. 


'Cven  experienced  some  degree  of  redemptiom 
from  the  state  of   fallen  nature,  we  are  still 
liable,    without  watchfulness,    to  fall,    or    to 
he    drawn    aside    in    principle    or    practice. 
Hence    we    find,    in    all    religious    societies, 
those   who   are   a    discredit    to    their    profes- 
sion ;    and  we  are   far   from  considering  our- 
selves free   from  such  disreputable  members. 
But,  in  order  to  remedy  this  evil,  as  much  as 
possible,  we  have  a  discipline  established  among 
us,  the  first  object  of  which  is,  to  labour  in 
gospel  love,  and  by  private  advice,  for  the  re- 
formation of  those  who  walk  disorderly;   and  if 
tliis  cannot  be  effected,  and  the  nature  ef  the 
.case  require  it,  to  disown  such  persons  as  mem- 
bers of  our  society.    The  reasonableness  of  this 
discipline  appears  so  evident,  that  it  may  seem 
unnecessary  to  enter  into  further  arguments  in 
favour  of  its  propriety  and  utility ;  yet,  as  ob- 
jections are  advanced  against  our  practice  in 
this  respect,  it  may  be  proper  to  take  some 
notice  of  them. 

Tlie  objections  commonly  advanced  against 
the  exercise  of  discipline  are,  first,  that  it  lays 
an  unnecessary  restraint  on  private  judgment; 
secondly,  that  it  interferes  with  that  attention  te 


t)N    t>iSClPLlNt. 


169 


^le  dictates  of  the  Spirit,  to  which  we  are  indivi- 
finally  recommended ;  and  thirdly,  that  the  dis- 
owning of  members  is  a  species  of  persecution. 


The  necessity  of  discipline,  for  tlie  constitu- 
tion and  support  of  any  religious  society,  has 
already  been  stated,  so  as,  in  a  great  measure,  to 
obviate  the  fii^st  objection.  It  may,  however, 
be  proper  to  add,  that  in  every  society,  civil  of 
religious,  submission  to  the  regulations  of  that 
society  is  necessary,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
licentiousness  and  confusion,  which  would  fol- 
low, if  every  member  acted  upon  his  own  ideasy 
without  any  external  restriction.  If  this  be  ap* 
plicable  to  iociety  in  general,  it  is  particularly 
so,  with  regard  to  those  religious  societies^ 
which  have  separated  from  all  others,  on  ac*- 
•count  of  opinions  and  practices,  that  appear  to 
them  not  t^onsistent  with  the  nature  of  true  re* 
ligion,  or  unnecessarily  attached  to  it.  How 
shall  a  society  retain  its  existence  with  any  de* 
^ree  of  propriety,  if  those  who  depart  from,  of 
disavow  its  principles,  are  to  remain  members 
of  it?  And  how  shall  such  a  society  be  known 
to  the  world,  if  it«  members  are  permitted  to 
profess  and  act  differently,  even  on  subjects 
which  at  first  formed  the  foundation  of  thek 


n 


17d 


ON    DlSClPLlNlt- 


union?  It  has  been  said,  that  nothing  except 
immorality  and  the  fundamentals  of  religion, 
should  be  the  subjects  of  discipline.  But,  if 
we  could  be  all  of  one  mind  on  the  application 
of  the  word  immorality,  we  should  find  it  very 
difficult  to  agree  on  the  fundamentals  of  reli- 
gion ;  and  the  number  of  persons  is,  perhaps, 
not  small,  who  would  resolve  these  fundamen- 
tals into  a  belief  of  a  God,  and  of  the  immor- 
tality of  the  soul.  We  may  easily  consider, 
what  a  strange  medley,  the  liberty  contended 
for,  would  admit  into  one  society.  The  Jew, 
the  Christian,  theMahomedan,  and  the  Heathen, 
with  their  various  subdivisions,  might  all  be 
blended  together  in  one  body ;  in  %A'hich  we  may 
suppose,  if  any  right  zeal  for  their  respective 
religious  sentiments  should  exist,  there  would 
be  perpetual  jarring  and  discord.  Much  more 
conducive  is  it  to  the  peace  of  religious  societies, 
that  each  should  consistently  maintain  its  own 
principles,  and  either  suffer  those  who  dissent 
from  them,  quietly  to  withdraw ;  or,  after  pro- 
per labour  and  waiting  for  restoration,  to  disown 
them  as  acknowledged  members  of  the  society. 
When  this  is  done,  as  it  ought  to  be,  in  a  right 
spirit,  it  is  no  violation  of  true  charity,  nor  of 
that  liberty  which  all  have,  no  doubt,  a  right  Jo 
exercise  with  respect  to  private  opinion. 


ON    DISCIPLINE. 


m 


The  second  objection  is  often  urged  in  a 
manner,  which  may  tend  to  mislead,  and  capti- 
vate the  unwary;  but  it  proceeds  on  a  supposi- 
tion, which  is  by  no  means  admissible,  namely, 
tliat  a  body  of  Christians,  united  in  the  belief 
,  of  certain  principles,  is  more  likely  to  be  misled, 
than  some  of  tlie  individuals  constituting  that 
body.  It  has  always  been  the  judgment  of  our 
Society,  that  the  establishment  of  meetings  for 
discipline,  was  under  the  same  divine  influence, 
which  originally  formed  our  predecessors  a 
distinct  people.  The  subjects  of  the  care  of 
these  meetings  have  varied  very  little  from  their 
first  institution;  and,  therefore,  for  any  persons 
now  to  pretend,  that  this  discipline  is  an  im^ 
proper  restraint  on  the  leadings  of  the  Spirit, 
so  far  as  respects  them,  is  to  say,  in  effect,  that 
they  are  not  led  by  the  same  Spirit  in  which  the 
Society  professes  to  believe,  and  by  which  it 
desires  ever  to  be  led.  "  The  spirits  of  the 
prophets  are  subject  to  the  prophets;"*  and 
the  individuals  of  a  religious  society  must  be 
subject  to  tliat  society  collectively;  otherwise 
anarchy  and  confusion  will  ensue :  and  when  it  is 
considered,  that  in  our  society,  a  much  greater 
proportion  of  its  members  concur  in  forming 

•  1  Cor.  xiv.  32. 
P  a 


172 


ON    DISCIPLINE. 


*. 


ON    DISCIPLINE. 


its  rules,  than  in  any  other,  there  seems  no  roonk 
kft  for  objections  like  this.  They  might  have 
a  more  specious  appearance;  if  the  power  of 
making  rules  and  regulations  were  lodged  in  a 
few  individuals:  though  even  in. this  case,  they 
would  be  destitute  of  Bolidity^,  if  the  individuals 
were  properly  delegated-. 

The  comparison  betwixt  persecution  and  the- 
disownment  of  the  members  of  a  religious  so- 
ciety, has  been  often  zealously  ujged  by  some, 
of  the  advocates  for  unrestrained  liberty  of  sen- 
timent.    To  draw  this  comparison  the  stronger 
•with  respect  to  our  society,  it  has  been  urged, 
that  they  who  ar§  deprived  of  membership  with 
us,   lose   not   only  the   common  privileges  of 
membership,   but,  if  reduced  to  poverty,  are 
deprived  of  that  provision  for  the  support  and 
education  of  the  poor,  for  which  the  society  is- 
peculiarly  distinguished.     But  this  argument, 
by  proving  too  much,  proves  nothing:  for  even 
these  latitudinarians  would,  I  suppose,  think  it 
right  to  disown  a  member  for  idolatry  or  athe- 
ism ;  and  yet,  on  such  a  one,  it  would  not  be 
proper  to  inflict  what  may  be  termed  persecu- 
tion.    But  are  we,  because  we  make  extraor- 
dinary  provision  for  our  poor,  to  retain  all  that 


have  been  members,  however  they  may  differ 
from  us  in  principle  or  practice  ?  The  absurdity 
of  the  argument  appears  to  me  too  great  to 
need  further  confutation.  What  is  sometimes 
advanced  with  respect  to  degradation  of  charac- 
ter by  disownment,  it  is  apprehended,  stands  or 
falls  with  the  former.  If  the  society  has,  by 
its  general  good  conduct,  obtained  such  a  de- 
gree of  reputation,  that  those  who  are  disowned 
by  it,  lose  part  of  the  good  opinion  of  the 
public ;  must  it  sacrifice  that  reputation,  by  re- 
taining in  its  bosom  those  who  violate  its  rules, 
or  trample  upon  its  principles :  principles,  for 
the  support  of  which,  our  predecessors  in  reli- 
gious profession,  were  willing  to  suffer  much 
ignominy ;  with  the  loss  of  property,  of  liberty, 
and  even  of  life  itself  ? 

Besides  a  general  oversight  of  the  conduct 
and  conversation  of  our  members,  there  are 
other  objects  which  obtain  attention  in  our 
meetings  for  discipline.  One  of  the  most  material 
of  these  is,  the  support  of  the  poor :  for  it  has 
been  the  practice  in  our  society,  from  its  first 
establishment,  to  maintain  our  own  poor,  and 

t 

not  give  them  occasion  to  apply  for  the  common 
jnodes  of  relief.    ;Notwithstauding  this,  we  tliink 


|:' 


174 


OS    DISCIPLINE. 


it  right  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  poor 
who  are  not  of  our  society,  in  common  with  our 
neighbours;  and  that,  not  only  in  cases  where 
the  laws  oblige  us;  but  also,  when  ability  is  af- 
forded, in  those  voluntary  charities  which  are 
established,  or  occasionally  promoted,  for  the 
benefit  of  this  part  of  the  community :  a  class, . 
to  the  suitable  relief  and  employment  of  which, 
much  importance  is  very  properly  attached. 

Another  material  object  in  our  meetings  for 
discipline,   is,  due  attention  to  proceedings  in. 
relation   to   marriage;   to  take  care  that   the 
parties  are  clear  of  other  engagements  of  the 
same  kind;  that  they  are  not  within  disallowed 
degrees  of  consanguinity;   and  that,  in  case  of 
previous  marriage,  the  rights  of  former  childreu. 
be  properly  secured :  after  which,  care  is  also, 
exercised  that  the  marriage  be  concluded  in  a 
proper  and  becoming  manner. 


The  register  of  these  marriages;  of  births 
'  and  burials ;  the  care  of  our  meeting-houses 
and  burial  grounds-  the  admission  of  members; 
the  granting  and  receiving  of  certificates  for 
those  who  remove  from  one  district  to  another; 
Ae  suflferJDgs  of  our  members  on  account  of; 


ON    DISCIPLINE. 


173^ 


ecclesiastical  and  military  demands,*  with  divers 
other  matters ;  are  also  subjects  of  our  care  ia 
tliese  meetings. 

The  meeting*  in  which  these  matters  are 
transacted,  are  called  Monthly  Meetings,  from 
their  being  held  once  in  every  month.  They 
send  representatives,  and  answer  queries  rela- 
tive to  the  general  conduct  of  their  members, 
t£>  other  meetings,  which  are  called  Quarterly 
Meetings ;  the  principal  business  of  w  liich  is  to 
superintend  Monthly  Meetings,  and  to  advise 
and  assist  them  when  occasion  may  require. 
These  Quarterly  Meetings  also  send  represen- 
tatives, and  answer  queries  to  a  meeting  which 
is  called,  the  Yearly  Meeting.  This  meeting, 
has  a  general  oversight  of  the  society ;  and 
makes  rules  for  its  government  and  welfare. 

This  description  of  our  meetings  for  dis- 
cipline is  intended  to  apply  only  to  the  men's 
meetings:  the  women  also  have  their  Monthly, 
Quarterly,  and  Yearly  meetings,  in  which  they 
attend  to  the  wants  of  their  own  sex,  and  exer- 

•  It  may  be  proper  here  to  remove  a  prevailing  impres- 
Mon,  that  the  amount  of  these  snflferings  is  reimbursed  to^ 
the  sufferers.    We  not  only  have  no  funds  for  this  purpose; 
but  such  a  practice  does  not,  nor  ever  did  exist  iu  ourr 
j^0€iety.. 


^ 


176 


ON    DISCIPLINE, 


cise  a  care  over  their  conduct;   but  have  no 
power  of  dismemberment. 

The  importance  of  transacting  this  discipline 
in  a  right  spirit,  and  by  those  who  may  be  pro- 
perly qualified,  has  ever  been  felt  as  of  no  small 
importance  to  its  right  preservation ;  and  many 
are  the  advices  which  have  been  issued  by  the 
Yearly  Meeting  on  this  subject.  The  following, 
being  short  and  comprehensive,  will,  I  appre- 
hend, afford  an  instructive  description  of  our 
concern  in  this  respect :  "  We  tenderly  exhort, 
that  in  all  your  meetings  for  the  discipline  of  the 
church,   you  wait   in   humility,   to  have  your 
spirits  brought  into  subjection  to  the  Spirit  of 
Christ;  that  thereby  you  may  be  duly  qualified 
for  the  work  and  service  conducive  to  the  build- 
ing up  of  his  church;  in  which  work,  all  who 
are  engaged  should  be  men  of  upright  hearts 
and  clean  hands ;  rightly  prepared  for  the  service 
they  undertake."    J748. 


CHJP.  XIIL 
CONCLUSION. 

« 

Address  to  the  youth  on  the  rcmembrwice  of  thek 

,  Creator,^  Recuon  and  Revelation.'-'The  holy  Scrijh 

tares  and  Christianity. — On  our  peculiar  principles. 

'-^On  the  necessity  of  regeneration.  •-* Address  to, 

persons  not  of  our  religious  persuasion, 

» 

In  the  design  and  execution  of  this  wprk, 
my  mind  has  been  much  influenced  by  a  desire 
for  the  welfare  of  the  youth  in  our  society,, 
and  for  their  instruction  in  the  principles  of 
tjue  religion^  To  them  I  feel  disposed  to  ad- 
dress myself  in  this  conclusion. 

< 

t 
Let  me  remind  you,  my  dear  friends,  of  that 

wise  and  pious  injunction,  "  Remember  thy 
Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth/**  Consider 
his  operations  in  nature  and  in  grace;  in  provi- 
dence and  in  redemption*  Although  in  tlie  con- 
sideration of  all  these,  some  difficulties,  not 
easily  comprehended,  may  present  themselves ; 
yet  so  much  will  be  opened  to  the  humble  and 
attentive  mind,  as  will  excite  the  love  and  fear 

•  Eccles.  xii.  1« 


M 


/ 


178 


CONCLUSION. 


CONCLUSION. 


179 


f 


of  Him,  "  who  made  the  heaven  and  the  earth, 
the  sea,   and  all  that  therein  is."*     In  entering 
hito  these  considerations,  there  are  two  assistants 
afforded  us,  by  our  gracious  Creator,   Reason 
and  Revelation.     The  former,  as  well  as  the 
latter,  is  useful  on  this  occasion.    It  is  a  faculty 
given  us  by  God ;  and,  if  rightly  exercised,  will 
tend  to  promote  our  knowledge  of  Him,  parti- 
cularly in  the  w'orks  of  creation  and  nature. 
When  not  misled  by  the  vanity  of  the  human 
heart,  reason  sees  and  feels  its  own  imperfec- 
tion ;  and  readily  embraces  and  submits  to  those 
advantages,  which  revelation  affords.    By  reve- 
lation, I  mean  to  comprehend  both  that  which 
is  mediate,  and  that  which  is  immediate.     The 
former  is  communicated  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,, 
in  which  we  have  veiy  ample  accounts  of  the^ 
being  and  nature  of  God;  of  his  manifold  works 
in  creation  and  in  providence;  of  his  love  to 
mankind,  particularly  in  the  work  of  redemption 
by  Christ ;  and  in  affording  the  assistance  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  to  guide  and  direct  into  all  neces- 
sary truth.     It  is  by  this  Spirit,  which  is  called 
the  Spirit  of  God,  and  of  Christ,  as  proceedinor 
from  the  Father  and  the  Son,  that  immediate 
revelation  is  received.     This  revelation   pro- 

*  Psalm  cxl?i.  6. 


duces  that  knowledge  of  God  and  of  Christ,  on 
which  eternal  life  depends.  In  this  sense,  "  no 
man  knoweth  who  the  Father  is,  but  the  Son; 
and  he  to  whom  the  Son  will  reveal  him."* 
And  when  it  pleases  God  to  reveal  his  Son  in 
any,  and  obedience  is  yielded  to  the  heavenly 
vision,  these  then  become  acquainted  with  the 
mysteries  of  God's  kingdom ;  and  are  made 
sensible,  that  "  flesh  and  blood  hath  not  re- 
vealed these  things  unto  them;  but  their  Father 
which  is  in  Heaven."t 

As  the  holy  Scriptures  are  the  blessed  means 
of  introducing  us  to  an  acquaintance  with  the 
way  of  life  and  salvation,  and  of  affording  as 
much  instruction  in  our  various  duties  to  God, 
and  one  to  another ;  1  earnestly  press  on  you, 
my  dear  young  friends,  a  frequent  and  serious 
perusal  of  them.  You  will  here  find  much 
profitable  instruction  of  various  kinds  :  the 
history  is,  beyond  any  other,  important  and  in- 
teresting ;  tlie  mystery  "  makes  wise  unto  sal- 
vation."t  Here  you  may  see  the  various  deal- 
ings of  God  with'his  creature  man;  you  may  be 
made  acquainted  with  the  dispensation  of  the 
law,  the  predictions  of  the  prophets,  the  mini- 
stration of  John,  and  the  most  glorious  dispen- 


•    T 


^e  X.  22. 


t  Mat.  xvi.  17. 


*  2Tin).  iii.  13. 


ISO 


CONCLUSION. 


i 


sation  of  the  gospel.     Beware  of  such  publica- 
tions as  have  a  tendency  to  create  a  disrelish  for 
these  sacred  w  rituigs.     Consider  what  the  state 
of  our  religious  knowledge  would  have  been 
without  them ;   and  look  at  those  parts  of  the 
world,  which  have  not  had  the  benefit  of  the 
Scriptures;  or  in  which  the  reading  of  them  has 
been  greatly  restrained.     \\\ien  this  comparisoa 
is  fairly  made,  I  believe  we  shall  find  abundant 
cause  to  be  thankful  to  the  God  and  Father  of 
^11  our  mercies,    for  the  benefit  we  enjoy,  in 
having  free  access  to  those  testimonials  of  his 
ways  and  will  respecting  the  children  of  men. 
Let  them  be  fairly  compared  with  the  various 
systems  of   religion  in  the  world;    and  then, 
although    ther€    should    be   some    difficulties, 
which  may  not,  at  once,  be  fully  comprehended, 
(and  in  what  science  are  there  not  such  difficul- 
ties ?)  then  will  the  transcendent  excellence  of 
Christianity   be   felt   and   acknowledged;   and 
gratitude  fill  the  heart,  for  the  unmerited  love  of 
God,  in  Christ  J«sus  our  Lord. 


Having  fairly  appreciated  the  general  prin- 
ciples of  Christianity,  those  which  are  peculiar 
to  our  religious  society,  and  of  which  you  make 
profession,  will,   I  believe,  rise  in  your  view 


CONCLUSION, 


181 


with  esteem  and  attachment.  Their  consistency 
n'ith  the  Christian  religion  has  been  already 
shown ;  and  presuming  you  to  be  sensible  of  this 
consistency,  I  affectionately  entreat  you  to  be 
faithful  in  your  adherence  to  them.  Attend  to  that 
divine  light,  that  saving  grace,  that  good  spirit, 
which  is  placed  in  your  hearts:  Ais,  if  at- 
tended to,  will  preserve  from  the  temptations  in- 
cident to  early  life ;  and  be  your  guide  and  support 
through  the  various  trials  and  probations,  which 
now,  or  hereafter,  may  be  your  allotment.  Oh! 
my  dear  friends,  receive  this  Heavenly  Visitant  in 
the  w  ay  of  his  coming.  Give  not  up  your  minds 
to  the  pleasures  and  enjoyments  of  this  world, 
which  will  draw  away  your  obedient  attention 
from  things  which  make  for  true  peace,  and 
things  by  which  you  may  edify  one  another. 
Be  willing  to  take  up  the  daily  cross;  and  to 
bear  the  yoke  of  him,  who  said,  "  Take  my 
yoke  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek 
and  lowly  in  heart,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  to 
your  souls ;  for  my  yoke  is  easy,  and  my  burden 
light."* 


.VJ 


I 


Let  those  who  have  been  habituated  to  sinfttl 
or  dissipating  pleasures,  and  have  afterwards 

*  Mat.3U.  29|  St. 


« 


IS^ 


CONCLUSION, 


P 


been  brought  to  taste  of  the  good  word  of  life, 
and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come ;  let  these 
say,  whedier  more  of  the  real  comforts  and  en- 
joyments of  life,  are  not  to  be  experienced  in 
the  humility  and  self-denial  of  a  Christian,  than 
in  all  the  gratifications  which  sin  and  folly  af- 
ford.    When  we  take  into   consideration  the 
divine  peace,  which  we  are  told, ''  passeth  aJl  un- 
derstanding;»  and  a  degree  of  which  is  at  times 
the  experience  of  the  faithful  followers  of  a 
crucified  Lord,  with  the  comfortable  prospects 
of  another  and  eternal  state  of  existence;  there 
will  be  found  sufficient  inducements,  in  every 
reasonable  point  of  view,  to  prefer  a  life  of  reli- 
gion and  virtue,  above  that  which  is  devoted  to 
indulgence  in  the  pursuits  of  folly,  dissipation, 
and  sin. 

The  same  principle  of  divine  light,  which  led 
cur  predecessors  out  of  the  vain  and  sinful  plea- 
sures of  the  world,  also  let  them  see  the  corrup- 
tions which  had  taken  place  in  religious  worship 
and  ministry;  the  inconsistency  of  war  with  the 
gospel  dispensation ;  and  the  impropriety  of  di- 
vers other  matters,  in  the  external  deportment 
of  professing  Christians.  For  their  testimony 
on  these  accounts,  and  the  conduct  consequent 
upon  them,  they  suffered  deeply,  in  an  age  when 

•  PbiU  iv,  r. 


CONCLUSION. 


im 


religious  liberty  was  claimed  by  all,  but  was 
given  by  few  or  none  who  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  power.    Read  the  relations  of  the  patient 
sufferings,  for  the  cause  of  truth  and  the  testi- 
mony of  Jesus,  of  those  who  have  gone  before 
you;"*  and  faithfully  bear  your  testimony  even 
hi  those  things  that  you  may  be  ready  to  call 
little.    Let  not  the  singularity  which  a  conduct 
consistent  with  your  principles  may  produce, 
discourage   you  from  a   faithful  adherence  to 
them;  but  submit  to  bear  that  cross,  which  will 
crucify  you  to  the  world,  and  the  world  to  vou. 
and  redeem  you  from  the  various  corruptions 
with  which  it   abounds.     The  principles  and 
practices  of  our  society  are  now,  in  general,  so 
respectfully  treated,  that  the  temptation  to  de- 
sert them  is  much  lessened.     Prize  your  privi- 
leges; consider  how  differently  our  fore-fathera 
were  circumstanced ;  and  let  this  consideration 
excite  in  your  minds,  increasing  faithfulness  and 
dedication  to  all  parts  of  ybnr  religious  dut>\ 
Follow  the  example  of  our  blessed  Redeemer; 
remember  the  reproaches  which  he  endured- 

*  The  Author  wishes  to  torn  the  attention  of  the  yonth 
t»  the  sufferings  of  the  primitive  Christians,  and  of  the 
early  reformers  from  popery,  as  well  as  to  those  of  oni 
owq  society. 


^ 


184 


CONCLVSIOH. 


and  be  ^lilliDg  to  take  up  the  cross  and  despise 
the  shame;  then  you  may  become  partakers 
of  that  crown  of  righteousness,  which  is  the  re- 
nvard  of  all  who  have  fought  the  good  %ht>  and 
kept  the  faith|  and  who  love  bi»  appearance  % 

Before  I  conckide  this  address,  I  wish  a  little 
further  to  open  the  subject  ol  Christian  re- 
demption, so  far  at  least  as  to  turn  your  atten- 
tion to  that  work,  which  the  depraved  state  of 
Jiuman  nature  renders  univepsally  necessaiy,  and 
in  which  our  Lord  thus  instructed  a  ruler  among 
the  Jews:  **  Except  a  man  be  bom  again,  he 
cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God/'*  What- 
ever our  religious  profession,  whatever  our  ou^ 
ward  appearance  and  demeanour  may  be ;  al^ 
will  fail  to  procure  us  divine  favour  and  accept- 
tance,  if  the  heart  is  not  renewed  after  tlie  image 
Qf  Him  that  ereated  us.  "  Marvel  not  that  I 
said  unto  thee,  ye  must  be  born  again."t  This^ 
was  the  language  in  which  our  Saviour  repeat* 
edly  inculcated  this  doctrine  to  Nicodemus ; 
and  oh !  my  dear  young  friends !  neither  marvel 
at  it,  nor  withdraw  from  it.  Examine  the  state 
of  your  own  hearts,  and  the  occasion  for  it  will 
soon  be  seen  and  felt.     Dwell  therefore,  I  en- 

*J«hBiii.  3.  tJobniiur. 


tONCLUSION. 


U5 


trezt  you,  under  those  divine  convictions  and 
influences,  by  which  "  the  washing  of  regenera- 
tion and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"* 
are  experienced.  The  work  is  generally  slow 
and  gradual;  therefore  be  not  discouraged,  if 
you  cannot  always  perceive  its  progress :  but  as 
you  abide  patiently  under  a  right  exercise  of 
mind,  you  will  find  that  the  work  will  in  time 
proceed,  until  the  new  creation  in  Christ  Jesus 
unto  good  works  is  known.  But  when  this  is 
in  measure  attained,,  still  watchfulness  and 
prayer  should  be  the  companions  of  every  mind. 
The  command  to  watchfulness  is  of  universal 
extent :  "  What  I  say  unto  you  I  say  unto  all, 
watch  ."t  Again,  "  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye 
enter  not  into  temptatioB/'J  When  this  dispo- 
sition of  mind  is  rightly  abode  in,  it  preserves 
from  formality  in  religion  ;  keeps  the  soul  alive 
to  God;  and  makes  living  members  and  bright 
examples  in  his  church,  and  among  his  people. 
In  this  state  of  religious  exercise,  the  experience 
of  the  primitive  believers  is  attained ;  *'  By  one 
spirit  are  we  baptized  into  one  body; — and 
made  to  drink  into  one  spirit  ;"§  here  also  right 
qualifications  are  received  for  religious  seivice, 

t  Titns  iii,.  5.  t  Mark  xiii.  37.  J  Mat  xxvi.  i«». 

I  1  Cor.  xii.  Id*. 


^ 


M 


CONCLUSION. 


eoNCLusioy. 


18) 


and  a  capacity  to  fill  up  the  measure  of  suffer- 
ing or  labour,  which  may  be  allotted  in  the 
church  of  Christ:  a  churchy  the  members  of 
which  are  thus  described  by  an  inspired  apostle  r 
*'  Ye  also  as  lively  sfones  are  built  up  a  spiritual 
kouse,  an  holy  priesthood,  to  offer  up  spiritual 
sacrifices,  acceptable  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ."* 

As  one  of  the  objects  of  this  publication,  is- 
to  convey  information  to  persons  who  are  not 
©f  our  religious  persuasion,  I  request  that  they 
"would  follow  the  example  of  the  noble  Bereans, 
and  "  search  the  scriptures  whether  those  things- 
are  so."t     It  is  not  probable  that  we  shall  all 
"be  brought  to  think  alike  on  these  subjects; 
"but  if  we  can  see,  that  so  much  may  be  said  by 
those  from  whom  we  differ,  as  to  produce  aa 
increase  of  Christian  charity,  something,  and 
something  important,  is  gained.    I  am  not  a  fa- 
vourer of  that  false  charity,  which  would  destroy 
all  religions  zeal,  and  make  all  professions  of 
religion  immaterial.     **  Let  every  man  be  fully 
persuaded  in  his  owa  mmd;"|  and  having  en- 
deavoured to  obtain  that  persuasion  from  due 
consideration,   let   him    support   it  with  zeal, 
tempered    with   "  the   meekness   of  wisdom.'* 

*  1  Peler  ii.  5.        t  Act»  x?u,  U*        t  Bom.  xiT«  5^. 


Thus,  notwithstanding  the  variety  of  opinions 
into  which  the  Christian  world  is  divided,  the 
light  of  the  gospel  will  increase  in  the  earth  ; 
and  we  may  together  promote  the  coming  of 
that  day,  in  which  the  divine  promise  and  pre- 
diction  will  be  fulfilled;  "  From  the  rising  of 
the  sun,  even  unto  the  going  down  of  the  same> 
my  name  shall  be  great  among  the  Gentiles ; 
and  in  every  place,  incense  shall  be  offered 
unto  my  name,  and  a  pure  offering."*  Then 
will  "  the  kingdoms  of  this  world,  become  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ  j  au4 
lie  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever."t 


"»  Mai.  i.  li. 


t  Rev.  xi.  1^*. 


HNIS. 


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^l 
i 


THE 

DUTIES 

Of        • 

RELIGION 

AND 

MORALITY,  ' 

AS  INCULCATED  IN  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES,; 

triTH 

PRELIMINARY  and  OCCASIONAL 
OBSERVATIONS. 

By  henry  TUKE. 
third  edition. 


^orfe : 


PRI^ifTED  BY  C.  PEACOCK, 

FOR 

W.  AlEXANDER,  AND  SOLD   BY  HIM; 

ftLD  ALSO   BY   DAlRTON,    HARVEY,  AND  CO.  GRACCc 

CH6RGH-STREET,  AND  W.  PHILLIPS,  LOMBARJi- 

•TREET,  LONDON* 

1812. 


# 


CONTENTS. 

PREFACE. 

PART  I. 

PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS. 

Chapter.  Page; 

1  On  the  importance  of  Religion  and  Morality  .  .    9 

8  On  Religion  as  the  Basis  of  Morality 15 

d  On  the  Love  of  God,  our  neighbour,  and  our- 
selves, as  the  Principle  of  religious  and  moral 
Duties 19 

4  On  the  Holy  Scriptures,  as  containing  the  best 

Precepts  for  religious  and  moral  Duties  ...  23 

5  On  the  Divine  Attributes  .  • .91 


3 


PART  IL 

RELIGIOUS  DLTIES. 

1  On  Faith  and  Hope  in  God  .   .   ........  35 

2  On  the  Lave  of  God  .  .  .  •  r 40 

3-  On  the  Fear  of  God 44 

4  On  Religious  Meditation    . r  ...  48 

5  On  WatcffulnesSf  and  waiting  upon  God  ,  ,  .  5t 

6  On  Prayer •...., 56 

7  On  Thanksgiving  and  Praise .  63 

8  On  Public  Worship ;  and  the  appropriation  of 

one  Day  in  the  TfecA  for  this  purpose  ....  68 

9  On  Obedience  and  Patience  ...........  75' 

JO  On  Repentance  towards  God,  and  Faith  in  our 

Lord  J€sus  Christ ,..,...#..  83 

A   2 


V  ' 


-*'  CONTENTS. 

PJRT  III. 
MORAL  DUTIES. 
cil^J'       ^^^^^^^  ^VTIES. 

\3  ^nJUt€grCbmity  ,],[['/ 1 *' 

J/*  <f^cc/*  in  promoting 
M^cy  and  Compmsikm, 
€anthur,  with  liberality  of 
Sentiment  and  Conduct, 
.  -^nngiving, 
J^eaceabientss, 
forgiveness  ^  In^'urie^ 
Jiospitulity, 
Friendship, 

3  On  Humility 

4  On  Meekness  ./,..,[[ ^^^ 

5  On  Temperance  .  ^^^ 

6  On  aastity  .   ...*.'.'.'.'  .'.W ^^^ 

7  On  Discretion  or  Prudence   >..///.'      ]tl 

8  On  Industry  or  Diligence  .  .      '  • •,,. 

0  On  Frugality    .    .  ^^^ 

10  0«  Cheerfulness ^*^ 

Class  II.    PARTICULAR  DUTIES. 

1  Q/*  Husbands  and  Wives 

2  Of  Parents  and  Children 

3  Of  Masters  and  Servants    ' ^^^ 

4  Of  Magistrates  and  Subjects 

.5  OfPatriol^m,  ortheLave^ofot^r'couniry  [  [  no 
31isc€llanscns  and  Concluding  Observations  .  .  ^u^ 


PREFACE. 

TO  promote  sincere  and  solid  piety,  with  sound  and 
pure  morality ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  show,  how^ 
forcibly  tliese  most  interesting  objects  are  inculcated  ior 
the  writings  which  are  justly  called,  tlie  Holy  Scrips 
tures;  are  the  views  with  wliich  the  present'  pnblication 
is  introduced  to  its  readers.  The  author  is  sensible 
that  publications  of  this  nature,  by  much  abler  pens 
than  his,  have  already  appeared ;  but  he  has  not  met 
with  any  work  exactly  upon  his  plan.  To  collect  the 
principal  passage?  of  Scripture  on  the  leading  Duties 
of  Religion  and  Morality;  and  to  intersperse  a  few 
remarks  and"  observations,  tending  to  illustrate  and 
enforce  the  precepts  which  are  taughr,  and  to  make 
them  read  connectedly,  appeared  likely  to  convey  in- 
stiuctionof  the  greatest  importance,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  manifest  the  excellence  of  the  Bible,  as  being, 
in  both  Testaments,  what  the  Apostle  says  of  tlie  Old, 
"  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for 
instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may 
be  perfect;  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works."^ 

A  3 


*"  fRETAce, 

If  there  should  be  any  Book  on  the  same  plan  ex- 
tant,  ,t  .,  presumed,  that  to  these  subjects  we  can 
scarcely  have  our  attention  too  often  turned;  «,  «h.t 
«.  every  new  publication  may  be  supposed  to  attract 
some  readers,  it  i.  hoped  that  a  benefit  wiU  accrue  from 
bemg  reminded  of  the  important  duties  which  are  here 
recommended;  and  when  we  consider  that  many  publi- 
cafon,  which  issue  from  the  press,  are  calculated  to  lay 
waste  moral  and  religiou,  principles,  it  certainly  be- 
hooves  the  frieml,  of  Relision  and  Virtue,  not  to  be 
Wkward  in  u«„g  every  means  which  they  conceive  t<, 
W  nght,  for  counteracting  the  effects  of  those  poisonous 
pnncples,  which  a  phUosophy,  «  fekely  so  called,"  i, 
admm.stering  to  the  depraved  taste  of  too  many  Reader,. 

In  preparing  this  work,  the  author  ha,  to  acknow- 
ledge  himself  indebted  to  other  publications,  a,«)  parti- 
cularly to  Gastrell's Christian  Institutes;  a  book,  which, 
.hough  capable  of  some  improvement,  is  exceUenti, 
adapted  to  show,  how  each  religious  and  moral  duty  i, 
inculcated  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

The  author  thinks  it  proper  to  state,  that  his  original 
v.ew  in  writing  this  book,  was  principally  for  the  Mem- 
bers of  the  religious  Society  to  which  he  belongs,  the 
people  called  Quakers:  hut  in  p„,,,„,„^,.^ 
be  was  mduced  to  hope,  that  the  benefit  arisn.g  from  it 

-oold  be  more  extensive  than  wa,  at  first  designed. 


PREFACE. 


\n 


In  this  hope  he  was  strengthened,  by  apprehending  it 
not  necessary  to  inculcate  any  precepts  or  duties,  but 
what  are  approved  by  Christians  in  general,  and  which 
are  of  universal  importance. 

It  may  appear  to  some  readers,  that  considering  their 
importance,  the  subjects  of  this  volume  are  too  briefly 
nnd  slightly  treated.     Brevity  has,  indeed,   been  the 
author's  study :  but,  at  the  same  time,  he  has  endea- 
voured to  avoid  a  slight  and  superficial  treatment  of  his 
subjects.     How  far  he  has  succeeded,  must  be  left  to 
others  to  determine.    He  has  reflected,  that  a  small 
volume,  at  a  moderate  price,  will  be  likely  to  obtain 
more  readers,  than  a  book,  the  size  and  price  of  which 
are  much  greater.    In  addition  to  this  consideration, 
be  apprehends,  that  subjects  treated  concisely,  if  with 
perspicuity,,  make  a  deeper  impression  on  the  mind 
than  when  they  are  treated  with  diffu&eness.    For  these 
reasons  the  author  is  inclined  to  hope,  that  the  small- 
ness  of  this  volume  will  rather  increase  than  lessen  its 
utility :  and  when  he  considers,  how  much  of  it  is  not 
his  own,  but  taken  from  the  writings  of  Divine  Inspira^ 
tion,  he  trusts  that  he  shall  not  be  liable  to  the  imputa- 
tion of  vanity,  for  indulging  a  hope,  that  it  will  not  fail 
to  convey  instruction,  important  and  beneficial  to  every 
reader. 


■      ""  PREFACE. 

Ih  the  close  contemplation,  which  the  writing  of  ,hi,- 
workh^  produced,  on  the  various  Duties  of  Re,igi„„ 
and  Moraht,,  the  author  ha,  fre<,ue„.l,  had  to  feel  his 
own  imperfections.    He  has,  however,  been  careful  not 
to  regulate  the  standard  of  those  duties  b,  his  ow„ 

pract.ce;  but  faith«„l,  to  represent  them,  as  he  found 
them  mculcated  in  Holy  Writ.    T.  give  precepts  su- 
penor  to  example,  is  a  difficult,  which,  on  the  present 
occasion,  has  not  been  uofelt :  but  it  maybe  remem- 
W    that  even  an  apostle  wrote.  «  not  a,  though  he 
bad  already  attained,  either  were  already  perfect ;"  and 
«  seems  that  we  must,  though  attended  with  some  de- 
gree  of  imperfection,  be  permitted  to  «  provoke  one 
another  to  love  and  to  good  worLs."  provided  the  sense 
of  our  defects  be  united  with  tins  resolution  of  the  same 
Apostle:  ..  This  one  thing  I  do;  facetting  .hose  thing, 
whch  are  beh,ml.  and  reaching.f„„h  unto  those  thing,, 
that  are  before,  I  press  towards  the  mark,  for  the  prize 
of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus." 


VART  I. 


PKELIMINARY   OBSEKVATIONS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

On  the  Importance  of  ReligioH  and  Mordity, 

Whether  we  take  our  view  of  the  im- 
portance of  Religion  and  Morality  from  theo- 
retical reasoning,  or  from  experimental  obser- 
vation, I  believe  the  result  of  each  will  show, 
that  the  greatest  portion  of  happiness  which  the 
human  mind  is  capable  of  enjoying,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  performance  of  our  .religious  and 
moral  duties ;  the  duties  which  we  owe  to  God, 
to  ourselves,  and  to  one  another.    For  if  we  be- 
lieve (and  these  observations  are  written  on  a 
supposition,   that   the  reader  agrees  with  the 
author  in  believing)  that  there  is  a  Supreme, 
Being,  who  by  his  power  and  wisdom  created, 
and  by  his  Providence  superintends  the  world, 
the  performance  of  those  duties  which  we  owe 
to  this  Divine  and  Omnipotent  Being,  maj_ 


10 


ON  THE  IMrOETANCB 


rt^ooMy  be  considered  a,  the  «,r«t  mean, 
•f  ftbUming  hi,  favour. 

The  situation,  of  men  i„  .hi,  ^orld  are  ex- 
ceedmgly  various:  but  whatever  may  be  our 
•fation,  or  whatever  the  degree  of  prosperity  or 
•dvers.ty,  .Wch  an  all-wise  Providence  may 

/oumlat.on  for  human  happiness,  is  to  have  our 

humbJe  hope,  that,  a,  far  as  human  virtue  can, 
go,  we  may  look  up  to  the  Divine  Being  with 
.degree  of  holy  confidence  in  his  fatherly  care 
and  protection;  whether  we  consider  that  hap- 
pmess  connected  with  a  grateful  enjoyment  Tf 
r  blessmgs  which  we  receive,  or  with  a  pa- 
rent resignation  to  the  Divine  will,  under  the 
want  of  some  of  the  comforts  of  life,  which 
b.s  Providence  may  have  withheld,  or  takea  ■ 
from  us. 

•Again,  when  we  coftsider  'hat  the  regularion 
and  subjection  of  our  passions  and  natural  pro- 
pensmes,  tend  much  more  to  the  comfort  of 
life,  Aan  the  unrestrained  gratification  of  them  • 
and  that  the  performance  of  our  various  rela' 
^e  dufes  ^  essential  to  the  enjoyment  of  those 


OV  BELIGIOIJ  AND  MORALITY.  U 

comforts  which  arbe  from  a  state  of  society ; 
we  shall  see  great  reason  to  believe,  that  an  all- 
V  ise  Providence  has  rendered  the  performance 
of  our  duties  essential  to  the  happiness  of  a 
being,  who  is  designed  to  stand  pr«-eminent  over 
jdl  the  worlts  of  creation  in  this  lower  world. 

Let  us  now  turn  from  theory  to  observation 
and  experience ;  and  let  us  first  trace  the  history 
of  nations,  as  transnMtted  to  «s  both  by  sacred 
and  profane  writers,  but  particularly  by  the  for- 
mer.    Here  we  may  see,  that  as  the  fear  and 
service  of  God,  and  the  piactice  of  the  moTal 
duties,  particularly  of  justice  and  mercy,  pre- 
vailed, such  nations  were  distinguished  by  the 
Divine  favour  and  blessing ;  but  where  irreli- 
gion,  vice,  and  oppression,  gained  the  ascen- 
dancy,   whatever  might  be   the   exalted   and 
powerful  state  of  such  a  nation,  or  in  whatever 
degree  of  favour  with  the  Almighty,  these  peo- 
ple might  have  formerly  stood,  they  were  either 
totally  annihilated,  or  in  some  other  manner  be- 
came singularly  marked  with  a  just  retribution. 
But  we  need   not  have   recourse   to  ancient 
times,  to  ^scover  the  lamentable  consequences 
of  ineligion  and  immorality ;  our  own  times  af- 
ford us  ample  proof,  either  of  the  natural  eflfect 


18 


ON  THE  IMPORTANCE 


of  these  evils,  or  of  the  judgments  which  they 
bring  upon  natioBS  and  people ;  and,  if  my  ap- 
prehension is  right,  the  miseries  which  these 
evils  bring  upon  mankind,  may  be  considered 
as  often  proceeding,  both  from  a  natural  and  a 
supernatural  cause. 

If  from  nations  we  turn  our  attention  to  in« 
•dividuals,  we  shall  iind,  by  accurate  observa- 
tion, that,  altfaotigh  virtue  and  vice  do  not  meet 
^th  their  full  reward  in  this  Hfe,  that  they 
whose  minds  are  brought  under  the  influence 
»of  religion  and  virtue,  expeneBce,  even  in  this 
-world,  a  greater  share  of  happiness,  than  is  the 
lot  of  those  who  abandon  themsehres  to  a  dis- 
regard of  moral  aad  religious  obligations. 

But  while  I  am  setting  forth  the  advantages 
which  result,  even  in  this  probationary  state 
of  existence,  from  a  life  of  piety  and  virtue, 
I  do  not  forget,  either  the  inward  conflicts, 
or  outward  suft'erings,  which  are  frequently 
the^lot  of  the  lighteous.  Such  has  been  the 
severity  of  these  sufferings,  as  to  draw  forth 
this  declaration  from  one  who  partook  largely 
of  the  tribulations  of  the  gospel  :  "  If 
in  this  life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ, 
then  are  we   of   all   men  most    miserable." 


OF   RELIGION   AND   MORALITY. 


13 


tbi'i 


Cut  although,  in  one  point  of  view,  this  was  an 
undoubted  truth,  yet,  even  in  these  extreme 
cases,  the  true  Christian  finds  something  which 
outbalances  all  his  sufferings,  in  those  -enjoy- 
ments of  divine  peace  and  comfort,  which  gene- 
rally accompany  aflfiictions  for  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion and  virtue.     Thus  the  same  experienced 

Apostle,  who  made  the  foregoing  observation, 
also  says :  ''  As  the  sufferings  of  Christ  abound 
hi  us,  so  our  consolation  also  aboundeth  by 
Christ.*'     When,  therefore,  we  take  into  consi^ 
deration  the  various  circumstances  attending  the 
righteous ;  and  compare  them  with  the  conse- 
quences resulting   from  irreligion  and  immo- 
^rality;  I  believe  we  shall  And,  that,  even  in  this 
^^ife,  generally  speaking,  the  miseries  of  vice  are 
^greater  than  the  trials  of  virtue ;  and  that  the 
'enjoyments  whi^  mttend  a  virtuous  course  of 
•life,  far  exceed  the  gratifications  resulting  from 
"vain  and  sinful  pleasures. 

In  the  foregoing  observations  I  have  not  ex-^ 
tended  my  views  of  ^  beneficial  effects  which 
result  from  religion  and  virtue,  beyond  what  is 
experieneed  in  this  short  and  iThcertain  state  of 
existence;  'but  when,  to  the  consideration  of 
^those  advantages;  we  add  the  reflection^  that  it 


ti4  ®N  THE  lM?OftTAN3C«,  &C. 

is  by  the  exercise  of  that  faith,  and  the  practice 
of  tho»e  works,  which  the  Christian  religion  re- 
quires, that  a^od  foundation  is  laid  against  the 
time  to  come,  and  an  eternal  inheritance  secured 
in  that  heavenly  kingdom,  where  "  there  shall 
be  neither  sorrow  aor  pain;"  we  shall  hnd  abun- 
dant cause  to  unite  with  the  Apostle  Peter,  ia 
that  excellent  and  important  testimony  which 
he  bore,  to  the  beneticiaUffects  of  religion  and 
virtue ;  for  both  these,  1  apprehend,  are  includ- 
ed in  this  observation:    "  Godliness  is  profi- 
table unto  aU  things,  having  the  promise  of  the 
life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come." 


\\ 


CHAPTER  If. 

Oh  Religion  at  tkc  basis  qf  Moraliti/. 

There  are  many  in  (he  present  day,  partir 
cularly  of  those  who  call  themselves  philoso- 
phers, who  strongly  recommend  the  practice  of, 
at  least,  a  considerable  part  of  the  moral  duties  j 
but  do  not  inculcate  any  regard  for  religion, 
and  the  duties  which*  it  requires.     They  vainly 
rely  on  human  reason  and  strength ;  and  endea- 
vour to  build  a  system  of  morals,  without  laying 
its  foundation  on  those  religious  motives  and 
considerations,  which  are  by  others  believed  to  • 
be  essentially  necessary,  for  strengthening  the 
mind  in  the  practice  of  true  virtue^     That  man 
is  prone  to  evil,  needs  only  individual  observa- 
tion to  prove :  and  when  he  can  vainly  persuade 
himself  that  there  is  no  God,  to  overlook,  to 
reward,  or  to  puni€h  his  actions ;  or  if  he  can 
make  himself  beKeve,  that  the  evils  or  miseries, 
which  result  from  the  disregard  of  moral  obli- 
gations, and  from  the  unrestrained  gratification 
of  the  passions,  terminate  with  his  existence  in 
this  world;  it  will  certainly  be  found,  that  all 
other  considerations  will  very  seldom  be  suffi- 
cient to  preserve  him  in  the  practice  of  that 
morality,  which  is  essential  to  our  comfort  and 
well  being,  even  in  this  life. 

B  e 


.i: 


^9 


ON    RELIGION   AS   THE 


BASIS    OF   MORALITY. 


IT 


H 


# 


'  It  was  a  just  observation  of  a  French  philo^ 
gopher  and  revolutionist,*  that  "  a  people 
without  morals  may  acquire  liberty,  but  without 
morals  they  cannot  preserve  it*^  Had  he^  and 
those  with  whom  he  acted,  gone  a  step  further, 
and  seen,  that  true  religion  is  as  necessary  for 
the  preservation  of  morality,  as  morality  is  for 
the  security  of  liberty,  they  would  not  so  com- 
pletely have  made  shipwreck,  not  only  of  faith 
and  a  good  conscience ;,.  but  also  of  almost 
every  obligation  and  every  comfort,  which  con- 
tributes to  the  happiness  of  man  in  society.  Let 
lis,  therefore,  suffer  the  harms  of  others  to  make 
41S  careful,  that  our  vessels  may  not  be  lost  on 
the  same  quicksands.  Religion  affords  the 
strongest  motives  for  the  practice,  of  virtue.  It 
sets  before  us  the  Omnipotence  and  the  Omni- 
presence of  the  Divine  Being ;  it  tells  us  that 
tie  rewards  all  those  who  diligently  serve  him, 
not  only  with  peace  in  this  world,  but  also  with 
happiness  hereafter ;  whilst  those  who  neglect 
'their  duties  to  him  and  their  fellow  creatures, 
will,  unless  they  repent,  be  excluded  from  the 
Divine  presence,  and  have  their  portion  as- 
signed them  in  a  state  of  misery. 

Thus  much  is  inculcated  by  what  is  called, 
the  religion  of  nature.    The  belief  of  a  Divi9« 

«  Britt^t. 


Being,  and  of  a  future  state  of  rewards  aiKl 
piiBishoieuts,  though  very  imperfect  and  con- 
fused, was  entertained  by  persons  and  liations, 
who  never  had  the  benefit  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures ;  and  even  by  some  nations  in  a  state  of 
great  barbarisni*    The  Christian  religion,  whilst 
it  gives  additional  force  and  illustration  to  these 
considerations,  so  as  to  bring  "  life  and  immor- 
tality to  light"  in  a  much  more  clear  and  con- 
spicuous manner  than  it  was  before,-  gives  also 
a  more  extensive  knowledge  of  ^mrselviBs,  and 
of  tlie  necessity  of'  some  strength  supeiior  to 
our  own,  to  enable  us  to  perfect  holiness  in  the 
fear  of  God.     It  is  hy  this  religion  that  we  be- 
come acquainted  with  the  depravity  of  the  htt- 
man  heart;   that  we  are  taught  tin;  necessity  of  • 
having  it  cleansed  by  the  washing  of  regenera- 
tion, and  the  renewings  of  the*  Holy  Spirit; 
thit  a  measure  x)f  this  Spirit,  or,  as  it  is  el^ 
where  called,  the  grace  of  God,  is  given  to 
mankind  uiviversally,  in  order,   both  to  teach 
and  to  enable  them,  "  to  deny  ungodliness  and 
the  world's  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  righteously^ 
and  godly  in  this  present  world/'     The  Chris- 
♦  tian   has   also   the   encouraging   consideration, 
that  "  if  he  sin,  he  hath  an  Advocate  with  the 
Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  jrighteous :"  that  he' 

B  3 


!! 


a« 


f)N  RELIGION  AS  THE,  &C. 


1 


may  rely  on  the  merits  and  intercession  of  this 
gracious  Redeemer  and  Mediator,  for  the  for- 
giveness of  sinsy  when,  with  sincere  repentance 
and  amendment  of  life,  he  shall  make  applica- 
tion to  Him,  "  who  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he 
might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify 
unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
"ivorks*" 

Here,  then,  is  the  basis  of  morality.  Here 
is  that  foundation  to  which  our  blessed  Saviour 
alluded,  when  he  said ;  "  Whosoever  hearethr 
these,  sayings  of  mine,  and  doeth  them,  I  wilF 
liken  him  to, a  wise  man  who. built  his  house 
upon  a  rock ;  and  the  rain  descended,  and  the 
:floods.came,  and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upoi** 
that  house,  and  it  fell  not;  for  it  was  founded^ 
upon  a  rock.** 


CHAPTER  nr 

On  the  Lou  ofGody  our  Neighbour,  and  Ourselves^  t^ 
the  principle  of' Religious  and  Moral  Duties. 

iMUCH  has  been  written,  at  dififerent  times,  on 
the  theory  of  human  obligations ;  but  after  all, 
I  conceive  we  cannot  resolve  this  theory  oi; 
principle  into  a  more  simple,  or  a  more  com^ 
prehensive  rule,  than  the  love  of  God,  the  love 
of  our  neighbour, .  and  the  love  of  ourselves. 
The  last  is  included  in  those  two  commandments^ 
in  which  our  Lord  instructed  a  Jewish  lawyer, 

when  he  inquired  which  was  the  great  com- 
mandment in  the  law.  The  answer  was,  "  Thou 
shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  tliy  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind. 
This  is  the  first  and  great  commandment ;  and 
the  second  is  like  unto  it;  thou  shalt  love  thy 
neighbour  as  thyself.  Gn  .these  two  command-! 
ments  hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets."  The 
love  of  ourselves  is  not  here,  or  elsewhere,  par- 
ticularly inculcated.  It  is  indeed  a  duty  to 
which  we  are  all  so  ready  to  attend,  (though 
sometimes  we  mistake  our  own  real  interest,) 
that  the  inculcation  of  it  is  superfluous;  and 
therefore,  it  being  an  acknowledged  principle 
of  action,  it  is  referred  to,  as  that  by  which  we 
ought  to  regulate  our  conduct  one  towards  ano? 
ther^    Ido  not;  however;  conceive  that  we  are 


20 


ON   THE   LOVE    OF   GOD,   &C. 


•  N    TJIB   LOVB   0F>  OOB,    &€. 


9A 


t 


required  by  this  precept,  to  love  our  neighbour 
in  the  same  degree,  but  only  in  the  same  man* 
ner,  as  we  love  ourselves ;  and  so  as  always  to 
act  towards  him  with  justice  and  tenderness. 
This  is  consistent  with  another  most  excellent 
precept  inculcated  by  our  blessed  Lord :  "  All 
things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do 
to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them.  For  this  (he 
also  says)  is  the  law  and  the  prophets."  This 
golden  rule,  as  it  has  frequently  been  called, 
coincides  with,  and  elucidates,  the  second  com- 
mandment already  mentioned.  It  confirms  the 
observation,  that  it  is  the  same  kind,  rather  than 
the  same  degree  of  love,  that  we  entertain  for 
ourselves,  which  we  are  required  to  cherish  to- 
wards our  neighbour.  It  also  shows  that  love 
and  justice  are  duties  which  are  nearly  allied ; 
and  that  they  seem  to  flow  one  into  another  so 
imperceptibly,  that  the  exact  boundary  of  each 
cannot  easily  be  ascertained.  Love  is  a  debt 
which  we  all  owe  one  to  another;  and  justice  re- 
quires that  our  debts  should  be  punctually  paid. 

The  two  commandments  and  the  rule  of  con- 
duct which  have  been  recited,  therefore,  appear 
to  form  a  complete  theory  of  religious  and 
moral  duties.  The  love  of  God;  the  love  of 
our  neighbour,  from  which  perfect  justice  pro- 


ceeds ;  and  that  which  is  necessarily  implied 
in. the  second  precept,  the  proper  love  of  ouiv- 
selves;  are  the  principles  on  which  mankind 
ought  always  to  act.  They  are  principles  whick 
may  be  applied  to  almost  every  transaction  of 
our  lives;  and  when  they  ar©^ thoroughly  under- 
stood and  acted  upon,  we  shall  feel  the  consolib- 
tion  arising  from  the  consequence  of  a  due 
attention  to  them,  as  described  by  our  blessed. 
Redeemer;.  "  This  do,  and  thou  shalt  live." 

The  excellence  andimportance  of  love  is  very 
instructingly  described  by  the  Apostle  Paul,  ia 
the  first  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians.  It  is  by 
our  translators  rendered  Charity,  which  appears 
to  have  formerly  been  a  term  synonymous-  with 
love,  as  the  same  Greek  word  is  sometimes 
rendered  by  one,  and  sometimes  by  the  other, 
when  it  is  evident  that  the  same  thing  is  meant^ 
Iti  this  place  it  seems*  ta  include  love  both  to 
God  and  man;  and  is  called,  in- reference  to  the 
different  gifts-  which  then  existed  in  the  church, 
"  a  more  excellent  way."  And  when  we  con- 
sider that  those  gifts  were  more  numerous,  and 
more  extraordinary  at  that  time,  than  they  ap* 
pear  to  be  now,  the  comparative  excellence  of 
this  charity,  or  Ibve,  must  be  increased.  The 
description  of  this  virtue  is  do  interesting,  and^ 


'SA 


Qlft   THE    LOVE   OF   GOD,    &C. 


important,  that  it  may  be  proper  to  give  it  at- 
length.     ''  Though  I  speak  with  the  tongues  of 
men  and  of  angels,  and  have  not  charity/ 1  am 
become  as  Bonnding  brass,  and  a  tinkling  cym- 
'ft>al;  and  though  I  hs^ve  the  gift  of  prophecy, 
und   understand   all  mysteries,   and  all  know- 
ledge; and  though  I  have  all  faith,  so  that  I 
could  remove  mountains,  and  have  not  charity, , 
I  am  nothing.     And  though  I  besrtow  all  my 
goods  to  feed  the  poor,  awd  though  I  give  my 
body  to  be  burned,  and  have  not  charity,   it- 
profiteth  me  nothing.     Charity  suffereth  long, , 
and  is  kind ;  charity  envieth  not ;  charity  vaunt- 
eth  not  itself;  is  not  puffed  up ;  doHi  nol  behave 
itself  unseemly;  seeketh  not  her  own;  is  not 
easily  provoked ;  thinketh  no  evil ;  rejoiceth  not 
in  iniquity;  but  rejoiceth  iu  the  truth :  beareth 
all  things ;  believeth  all  things ;  hopeth  ^1  things; 
endureth  all  things^     Charity  never  faileth ;  but 
whether  there  be  prophecies  they   shall   fail ; 
whether  there  be    tongues,    they    shall   cease; 
whether   there  be   knowledge,   it  shall  vanish 
away ;  for  we  know  in  part,  and  we  prophesy  in  ^ 
part.— And  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  and  charity, 
these  three:  but  the  greatest  of  these  is  charity." 


CHAPTER  TV:. 

iCnthe  H^if^'ScripHn-es^  as  corttaining  tht'hest  Precepts 
for  Religious  and  Moml  fhUies. 

To  show  the  excellency  of  the  Scriptures,  it 
is  not  necessarj'  to  depreciate  the  moral  writings 
•of  those  who  are  called  Heathens.  Tliat  their 
Morality,  as  well  as  their  Religion,  was  very 
imperfect,  and  very  inferior  to  that  which  is 
recommended  in  die  Bible,  it  requires  no  par- 
tiality to  the  latter  to  evince.  Yet  we  may  see 
much  in  the  writings  of  the  Heathens  that 
claims  our  assent,  and  even  admiration :  they 
strongly  support  the  observation  of  the  Apostle, 
that  "  when  the  Gentiles  which  had  not  the  law, 
do  by  nature  the  things  contained  in  the  law, 

these show  the  work  of  the  law  written  in  tlieir 

liearts."     But  with  a  religion,  in  many  of  its 
.parts  grossly  sensUal,  as  well  as  erroneous  in 
doctrine,  their  morality  must  have  been  very 
defective;  and  diough  we  frequently  find  cause 
to  admire  its  comparative  excellence,  under  all 
its  disadvantages,  yet  we  must,  on  an  impartial 
consideration,  be  sensible  of  its  great  imperfec- 
tion, and  inferiority  to  the  morality  ai  the  gos- 
pel.  The  Religion  which  the  Scriptures  recom- 
anend,  is  very  different  from  that  which  was 
taught  amongst  the  Heathens,  and  absolutely 


ii 


If 


t4        ox  THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES,  &C. 

prohibits  many  oF  the  enormities  of  the  latter, 
by  which  the  morals^  even  of  its  votaries,  mtist 
have  been  greatly  corrupted. 

If  we  consider  the  contents  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, we  shall  there  find  the  portraiture  of  a 
Religion,  which,  though  it  was  united  with 
many  ritual  observances,  inculcated,  either  di- 
rectly by  its  precepts,  or  indirectly  by  its  ty4>i- 
cal  allusions,  purity  and  integrity  of  heart  and 
conduct.  Even  at  the  time  that  the  legal  dis- 
pensation  was  communicated,  the  religious  and 
moral  obligations  contained  in  the  Ten  Com- 
-mandments,  were  imposed ;  and  although,  in  the 
-course  of  the  following  work,  most  of  tliem  will 
•be  separately  mentioned,  yet  it  may  not  be  im- 
.proper  in  this  place  to  present  them  collectively 
before  the  reader.— They  are  thus  briefly  intro- 
duced :  "  And  God  §pake  all  these  words,  say- 
ing, I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  who  have  brought 
thee  out  of  the  land  of  Eg>pt,  out  of  the  House 
of  Bondage."  Then  the  Conmiandments  are 
delivered  in  the  following  order. 

I.  "  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me." 

f  I.  *'  Thou  shah  not  make  unto  thee  any  gra- 
ven image,  or  any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is 
in  Heaven  above,  or  that  is  in  the  earth  be- 
neath, or  that  is  in  the  water  under  the  earth: 


aN   THE   HOLY   SCRIPTURES,  &C.        €5 

tliou  shalt  not  bow  down  diyself  to  them,  nor 
serve  them  :  for  I,  the  Lord  thy  God,  am  a 
jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers 
upon  the  children,  unto  the  tliird  and  fourth 
generation  of  them  that  hate  me,  and  shewing 
mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  tJiat  love  me, 
-aud  keep  my  commandments/' 

in.  "  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the 
Lord  thy  God  in  vain ;  for  the  Lord  will  not 
hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh  his  name  in  vain. 


?> 


IV.  "  Remember  the  sabbath  day  to  keep  it 
holy.  Six  days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all 
thy  work ;  but  the  seventh  day  is  the  sabbath  of 
the  Lord  thy  God:  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any 
^vork ;  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy 
man-servant,  nor  thy  maid-servant,  nor  thy  cat- 
tle, nor  tliy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates. 
For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  Heaven  and 
Earth,  the  sea,  and  all  tliat  in  them  is,  and 
rested  the  seventh  day :  wherefore  the  Lord 
blessed  the  Seventh  Day  and  hallowed  it." 

V.  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that 
thy  days  may  be  long  upon  the  laud  which  the 
Jjord  thy  God  giveth  thee.'' 

yi.  «^  Thou  shalt  not  kill, 


t§        ©N    THE   HOtY   SCRlPTURiaS,   &€♦ 

VII.  "  Thou  sbalt  not  commit  adultery/^ 

VIII.  "  Thou  shalt  not  steal/* 

IX.  *'  Thou  shalt  not  hear   false  witness 
against  thy  neighbour. 

X.  "  Tliou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour'* 
house;  thou  shalt  aiot  covet  thy  neighbour's 
wife,  uorliis  man  servant,  norliis  maid  servant, 
Dor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  any  thing  that  is  thjr 
neighbour's." 

Here  W£  liave  a  brief  view  of  tlie  excellent 
morality  which  was  inculcated  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament; but  which  was  not  wholly  confined  to 
tliese  particulars,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  writings 
of  the  ju-o4>hets,  and  others  of  the  more  ancient 
inspired  penmen:  bjU  when  we  come  tQ  the 
Kew  Testament,  we  find  our  Saviour  improving 
upon  the  precepts  contained  in  the  Old,  and 
directly  incidcating  that  purity  of  heart,  bumi- 
lity  of  mind,  boliness  of  life,  benevolence  and 
simplicity  of  manners,  which,  springing  from 
the  sincere  love  of  God,  may  be  consideied  as 
Uie  leading  features  of  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  give  to  its  Divine  Author  a  supe- 
liority  "  above  every  name  Uiat  is  named,  not 
only  in  this  world,  but  ia  tAat  which  is  to  come,"* 


•  fi 


•W  THE   HOLY    SCRIPTURES,  &C.        ^ 

The  following  description  of  the  precepts 
and  doctrines  contained  in-  the  Scriptures,  by  a 
religious  writer  about  a  century  ago,  may  be 
properly  introduced  here,  as  a  brief  summary 
of  the  objects  of  these  most  important  writings  :* 
**  Here  all  sorts  of  men  and  women,  that  are 
under  no  natural  or  moral  incapacity,  may  read 
tlieir  duties  to  God  and  to  one  another,  in  their* 
several  stations  and  relations,  w  herein  the  Divine 
providence  hath  placed  them.  For  the  Holy 
Scriptures  testify,  tliat  we  ought  to  love  God 
above  all,  and  our  neighbours  as  ourselves. 
They  shew  us  what  we  are  to  believe  concern- 
ing God,  Christ,  and  the  Holy  Spirit ;  how  to 
order  our  thoughts,  words,  and  actions ;  and  so 
to  live  hcrcj  that  we  may  be  liappy  hereafter.** 

"  They  testify  that  all  have  sinned  and  come 
short  of  the  glory  of  God — that  the  wages  of 
sin  is  death;  but  the  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life 
dirough  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord ;  whom  God  hatii 
set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation,  through  faith  ia 
his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness  for  the 
remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  through  the  for- 

•  Richard  Claridge;    He  was  one  of  the  People  called 
Quakers ;  and  this  quotation  may  rectify  the  mistakes  of 
tome  persons,  respecting  the  sentimeDts  of  this  Society  di». 
tiie  Scripture»4 

C  2^ 


1 


£8       *ON    THE   HOtY    SCHrPTURES,   &C. 


bearance  of  God;  that  he  might  be  just,  and 
the  justifier  of  him  that   believeth  in  Jesus. 
[The  Scriptures    further  testify,]   that  Christ 
tasted  death  for  every  man;  was  delivered  for 
our  offences,  and  was  raised  again  for  our  jus- 
tification; made  higher  than  the  Heavens;  is  sUt 
down  at  the  right  hand  of  God ;  and  ever  livetb. 
to  make  intercession  for  U8— 4hat  he  is  the  light 
of  the  world;  and  he  that  followeth  him  shall 
iiot  walk  in  darkness^  but  shall  have  the  light  of 
life— that  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  is  givea 
to  every  man  to  profit  withal.     [They  also  tes* 
tify,]  that  except  a  man  be  bom  again  he  can- 
not  see  the  kingdom  of  God— •  that  Christ V 
disciples  should  be  perfect,  eveg  as  their  Father 
which  is  in  Heaven  is   perfect — that  denying 
self,  taking  up  the  cross,  and  following  him>  are 
the  proper  characteristics  of  his  disciples— that 
God  is  a  Spirit,  and  they  that  worship  him  must 
worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth-*  that  Christ 
is  the  substance  of  all  the  types  and  figures  un- 
der the  Levitical  Priesthood,  being  the»  end  of 
the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth.      We  learn  from  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
that  he  is  not  only  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  but  a  Sa^ 
viour  from  sin,   being  himself  without   sin— 
that  none  can  be  saved  by  his  merit  who  are 
Bot  sanctified  by  his  Spinl — that  the  form  ot 


ON   THE   HOLY   SCHIPTUHES,   8lC.        fiQt 

godliness  will  avail  nothing  without  the  power^ 
and  the  name  of  Christian  will  be  ineffectual 
without  the  nature — that  without  the  grace  of 
Christ  we  can  do  nothing  acceptable  in  the 
sight  of  God,  and  by  the  help  and  assistance 
of  Kis  grace  we  may  work  out  our  own  sah-a^ 
tion  with  fear  and  trembling.  These,  and  mul- 
titudes^ more  of.  the  like  heavenly  truths,  are 
discoursed  of  ia>  the  Holy  Scriptures,  wliiclr 
tend  to  the  glory  of  God  and  of  his  Son  Christ' 
Jesus;  to  the  purifying,  guiding,  and  perfecting 
of  mankind ;  and  to  the  fitting  and  preparing  us 
for  the  kingdom  of  God;  and  therefore  they 
call  foFour.  most  diligent  reading,  fervent  appli- 
catioH>  and^most  exact  conformity  of  heart  and 
life  to  die  trudis  therein  testified." 


In  these  vicAvs  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the 
professors  of  Christiunity  are  generally  united; 
and  therefore,  I  thought  that  th»  religious  and 
moral  precepts  which  I  wished  to*  inculcate, 
eould  not  be  drawn  from  a  more  universally 
approved,  or  from  a  purer  source,  thian  tile 
sacred  writings.  I  have  for  these  reasons,  and 
also  to  show  their  excellence,  taken  extracts 
frotHithem,  as  affording  the  best  ruletjfor  the 
di'Serent  duties  here  incukated.  A>  scriptural 
"U^YTi  of  these  duties   will,^  I  conccive>  plaC^* 


e  3- 


^        ON   THE    HOt.Y   SCRIPTURES,   8CCi 


I 


them  in  a  clearer  and  stronger  light,  than  any 
that  can  be  taken  from  all  the  systems  of 
ethics  or  metaphysics  which  exist  in  the  world. 
However  the  Bible  may  be  slighted  by  some 
persons,  yet  a  fair  view  of  the  religious  and 
moral  instruction  which  it  contains,  compared 
M'ith  that  which  any  other  of  the  religious 
distinctions  of  mankind  possess,  will,  it  is 
presumed,  decide  tlie  superiority  clearly  in 
favour  of  those  Scriptures,  which  we  are  justly 
told,  are  "  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  cor- 
rection, for  instruction  in  righteousness;  that 
the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  throughly, 
fiiruished  unto  all  good  works/' 


CHAPTER  V. 

On  the  Divine  Attributes^  * 

JoEFOUE  we  enter  into  a  consideration  of 
the  duties  which  we  owe  to  the  Divine  Being,, 
it  will  be  proper  to  take  notice  of  the  Attri- 
butes on  which  these  duties  are  founded;  and 
by  which  they  become  a  reasonable  service. 
The  Attributes  of  God  are  largely^ set  forth  ia* 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  from  which  v  e  learn,  that 
«  he  is  the  maker,  preserver,   and  governor  of 
all  things ;  that  lie  is  a  Being  every  way  perfect;, 
the  only  God,  who  hath  none  other  like  him, 
and  who  h  greater  aiid  more  excellent  than  all 
other  beings:   that  he  is  a  Spirit,  eternal  and 
unchangeable,  and  fills  all  places  by  his  pre-- 
sence;  that  his  happiness,  knowledge,  wisdom,., 
and  power,  are  infinite;    that  he  is  perfectly 
good  and  gracious;   righteous   and  just;    true 
and  faithful;   pure  and  holy;  and  that  after  all. 
we  know  of  him,  he  is  incomprehensible."* 

In  order  to  show  how  far  this  definition  is 
supported'  by  the  Holy  Scriptures,  it.-will  be 
necessary  to  give  some  f^uotations-  from  these 
■writings,  descriptive  of  the  various  Attributes 
•f  God,  as  above  recited:  The  following  are^ 
^  Gastrell's  Cliristiaa  lBStit(Uc«t 


§ii 


ON  THE   ttlVINE   ATTRIBUTES. 


©N    THE    DIVINE   ATTRIBUTES. 


33 


©f  this  nature:  "  By  him  were  all  things 
created  that  are  in  Heaven,  and  that  are  in 
eartli.  He  is  before  all  things,  and  by  him  all 
things  consist.  He  preserveth  and  upholdeth 
all  things  by  liis  power.  Fn  hTm  we  live,  and 
move,  and  have  our  being.  Tlie  world  is  his, 
and  tlie  fulness  thereof.  The  Most  High  ruleth' 
in  the  kingdom' of  men,  and  giveth  it  to- whom- 
soever he  will.  He  is  governor  among  the 
nations:  the  vvlu)le  earth  i^  full  of  his  glory  .*/ 

**  As  for  God,  his  way  is  perfect:  He-  i»  a 
Tock :  his  work  is  perfect,  llinie,  O  Lord !  i» 
the  greatness,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory^ 
and  the  victory,  and  the  majesty.  Thou  art 
vervjrreat:.  thou  art  clothed  M'idi  lionour  and 
majesty.  The  Lord  our  Go<l  is?oue  Lord  :  he 
is  God  in  the  Heaven  above,,  and  in  the  earths 
beneath ; . tliere  is  won©,  else;  Who  is.like  unto-- 
thee,  O  Lor<li-wh»>'is^like  thee;  glorious  in  ho- 
liness, fearful  in- pnuses>  doingAvouders  ?  llie 
iLord  is  great  above  all  Gods;  far  above  all 
principalities^  and  powers  andlni^^t  and  domi- 
iik)H,  and  every  name  that  is  named^  not  only  in 
this  world,  but  also  in  that  which. is:  to  come." 

*'  Go«t  ia-sfcS^irit ;  who^ouly  hath>  innneftality^ 
i^'diliug  iu  the  light  which  aa  man  can:  s^ 


proach  unto;  whom  no  man  hath  seen,  nor  caiv 
see:  the  same  yesterday,  tt)-day,  and  for  evtr;. 
with  whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow 
©f  turning.  He  filleth  all  in  all.  Am  I  a  God 
at  hand,  saith  the  Lord,  and  not  a  God  afar  off? 
Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret  places  that  I 
shall  not  see  him  ?  Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and 
earth,  saith  the  Lord  ?  In  his  presence  is  fulness 
of  joy,  and  at  his  right  hand  are  pleasures  for: 


evermore 


t> 


"  The  Lord  is  a  God  of  knowledge,  and  by. 
him  actions  are  weighed.  He  is  mighty  in 
wisdom ;  he  is  wonderful  in  counsel,  and  excel- 
lient  in  working ;  the  only  wise  God ;  Almighty, 
and  can  do  every  thing;  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah 
is  everlasting  strength." 

"  The  Lord  is  good  to  all,  and  his  tender 
mercies  are  over  all  his  works.  God  is  love; 
tfie  God  of  peace,  the  Father  of  mercies,  and 
the  God  of  all  comfort.  The  Lord  is  righteous, 
a  just  God ;  he  loveth  righteousness ;  he  is  excel- 
lent in  power,  andin  judgment,  and  in  plenty  of 
justice;  he  will  not  condemn  the  innocent,  nor 
will  he  let  the  guilty  go  free.  Shall  not  the 
judge  of  all  the  earth  do  right  ?  He  is  the  God 
of  truth';  his^counsels  of  old  aire  faithfulness  and 


I 


S4f  ©.N    THE    DlVrNE   ATTRIBrTEJ. 

truth  ;  for  all  hit  promises  are  yea  and  aihefi 
for  ever."" 

"  The  Lord  mic  God  is  holy;  yea,  he  is  gld- 
rious  in  holiness.  Hely,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God 
Almighty;  who  art,  and  wast,  and  art  to  come. 
Oh!  the  depth  of  the  riches,  both  of  the  wisdom 
and  knowledge  of  God!  Kow  unsearchable  are 
Jiis  judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out! 
For  of  him,  and  through  him,  and  to  him  are  all 
4uDgs ;  to  whom  be  glory  for  ev^t.    Amen.'' 


t 


FJTCr  II. 

HELIGIOUS  DUTIES* 

CHAPTER  L 

On  Faith  and  Hope  in  God, 

The  first  Duty  w^hiok  ^-c  ovs^e  to  tthe  Divine 
Being,  is  Faith;  or  a 'belief  in  the -existence  of 
God,  in  his  power,  and  in  his  goodness.  It  is 
called  Faith,  because  diese  great  and  important 
truths  do  not  admit  of  that  kind  of  demonstra- 
tion by  which  many  other  truths  may  be  proved: 
and  yet  all  around  us,  and  all  wiUiin  us,  so 
fully  evince  the  existence,  the  power,  and  die 
goodness,  of  a  Divine  Being,  that  this  may  be 
considered  a  just  and  reasonable  duty.  On  a 
subject  so  much  above  our  comprehension,  we 
must  be  content,  in  some  degree,  to  walk  by 
faith,  and  not  by  sight.  We  need  not  therefore 
stumble  at  this  first  principle  of  religion,  to 
which  our  implicit  acquiescence  is  -required. 
"  Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God; 
for  he  that  cometli  unto  him,  must  believe  that 
He  is,  and  that  He  is  a  rewarder  of  all  those 
diat  diligendy  seek  Tiim."  When  these  prin- 
ciples have  their  proper  influence  on  the  heart, 
they  -are  of  great  service  to  us  in  our  passage 


i^ 


I 


56         ON   FAITH   AND   HOPE    IN    GOD, 

through  life;  and  tend  greatly  to  reconcile  our 
minds  to  those  various  circumstances^  which 
are,  by  an  allwise  Providence,  permitted  or 
<lispensed  to  us.  It  is  by  the  eye  of  faith  that 
we  see  him,  who  is,  to  every  other  eye,  invisi- 
lile ;  and  by  this  eye  of  faith  we  are  enabled  to 
look  beyond  the  things  which  are  seen,  and  are 
temporal,  to  those  things  which  are  not  seen, 
and  are  eternal.  It  was  ynder  the  influence  of 
this  faith,  that  "  Moses  chose  rather  to  suffer 
affliction  with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy 
the  pleasures  of  sin  ;  seeing  him  who  is  invisible,* 
and  having  an  eye  to  the  recompense  of  reward." 

From  faith  in  the  Divine  Being  and  Provi- 
dence, proceeds  tliat  "  hope  which  is  as  an 
anchor  to  the  soul,  both  sure  and  stedfast."  la 
the  storms  and  tempests  attendant  on  this  pro- 
bationary state  of  existence,  a  humble  hope  and 
trust  in  the  mercies  and  providence  of  God, 
are  essentially  necessary  to  the  preservation  of 
the  vessel,  from  being  driven  on  the  rocks  or 
quicksands  which  surround  our  coast ;  and  on 
which  shipwreck  is  sometimes  made  of  every 
thing  that  renders  life  valuable,  or  eteniity  de- 
sirable. 

This  hope  or  trust  may  be  divided  into  two 
parts;  first,  as  it  relates  to  the  providence  of 
Ood,  in  reference  to  the  things  of  this  life ;  and 


ON   FAITH    AND   HOPE    I>T   GOB.         37 

^coiKlly,  as  it  relates  to  his  mercy  in  respect 
to  lliose  things  wTiich  pertain  to  that  life  which 
is  to  come.      With   respect  to  the  first,   oirtr" 
blessed  Lord  strengthens  his  disciples  in  theip 
confidence  in  the  Divine  Providence,  by  many 
apt  allusions  and  pressing  exhortations:  "  I  say 
unto  you,  take  no  thought  (or  rather,  be  not 
anxious")  for  your  life,  what  ye  shall  eat  or  what 
ye  shall  drink,  nor  yet  for  your  body,  what  ye 
shall  put  on.— Behold  the  fowls  of  tlie  air;  for, 
they  sow  not,  neither  do  they  reap,  nor  gather 
into  barns ;  yet  your  Heavenly  Father  feedetk 
them— Consider  the  lilies  how  they  grow;  they 
toil  not,  neither  do  ihey  spin;  and  yet  I  saji^ 
•imto  you  that  Solomon,  in  all  his  glory,  was  not. 
arrayed  like  one  of  these.     Wherefore,  if  God 
so  clothe  tlie  grass  of  the  field,  which  to-day  is, 
and  to-morrow^  is  cast  into  the  oven,  how  much 
more  will  he  clothe  you,   O  ye  of  little  faith  ? 
Therefore  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God 
and  his  righteousness ;  and  all  these  things  shall 
be  added  unto  you.*'     We  have  in  the  prophet 
Habakkuk  an  eminent  instance  of  resignatioa 
to  Divine  protection,  and  of  confidence  therein. 
After  foreseeing  some  impending  calamities,  he 
expresses   himself  in  this   animated  and    ani- 
mating language:  *'  Although  the  fig-tree  shall 
4)ot  biossoni;  neither  shall  |i'tii.t  be  ijn  the  viuej 


I 


iw 


n 


I  ml!' 


ft) 


58  ON    PAITH  AN»   HOPE    IN    GOBe 

the  labour  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  field* 
shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  flock  shall  be  cut  off 
from  the  fold,  and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the 
stalls ;  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy 
ia  the  God  of  my  salvatioa.'' 

It  sometimes  liappens,  fliat  religiously  di*» 
posed  minds  fall  into  a  state  of  depression  and 
discouragement,  respecting  their  inward  or  their 
future  state.    This,  so  far  as  it  excites  vigilance 
and  exertion,  may  be  beneficial ;  but  when  its 
tendency  is  to  lead  to  despair  of  the  mercies  of 
God,  and  to  cast  away  otur  confidence  in  his 
goodness  and  loving  kindness,  it  becomes  a  dis- 
position to  which  we  ought  not  to  give  way, 
but  should  carefully  guard  against  its  attacks. 
This  situation  of  mind  is  strongly  described  by 
the  Psalmist,   in   the  seventy-seventh  Psalm : 
^  In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  sought  the  Lord ; 
my  *  hand  was  stretched  out  in  the  night  and 
ceased  not :  my  soul  refused  to  be  comforted. 
I  remembered  God,  and  was  troubled,  and  my 
-spirit  was  overwhelmed.     Will  the  Lord  cast 
off  for  ever  ?  will  tie  be  favourable  no  more?  Is 
his  mercy  clean  gone  for  >ever?  dofh  his  promise 
fail  for  evermore?  haA  God  forgotten  to  be 
gracious?  hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his  tender 
mercies?"   Here  the  Psalmist  seems  to  recol- 
lect his  own  peculiar  weakness,  and  turns  hu 
*  ftiee  tlie  marginal  reading*. 


<JN   FAITH   AND   HOPE   IN   COST.         $« 

Feflections  another  Way.  "  I  said,  this  is  my 
Bifirmity;  but  I  will  remember  the  years  of  the 
right  hand  of  the  Most  High.  I  will  Femember 
the  works  of  the  Lord ;  surely  I  will  remember 
thy  wonders  of  old.  I  will  meditate  also  of  all 
thy  works,  and  talk  of  thy  doings.  Thy  w  ay,  O 
God r  is  in  the  sanctuary;  who  is  so  great  a  God 
as  our  God?"  In  another  Psalm>  we  find  tlje 
pious  David  consoling  himself  in  this  encourag- 
ing soliloquy :  "  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my 
soul  ?  and  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  I 
Hope  thou  in  God;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
"who  is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and  my 
God."  Here  we  see  the  benefit  of  attending  to 
that  Apostolic  exhortation :  "  Cast  nor  away 
tlierefore  your  confidence,  which  hath  great 
recompense  of  reward." 

The  following  passages  point  out  tlie  neces- 
sity and  advantages  of  a  proper  trust  or  confi- 
dence in  God,  on  all  occasions :  "  Trust  in  the 
Lord  with  all  thy  heart,  and  lean  not  unto  thy 
own  understanding.  In  all  thy  ways  acknow- 
ledge  him,  and  he  shall  direct  thy  paths.  Coni^ 
mit  thy  works  unto  the  Lord,  and  thy  thoughts 
shall  be  established.  Commit  thy  way  unto 
him;  trust  also  in  him,  and  he  shall  bring  it  to 
pass.  Judgment  is  before  him,  therefore  trust 
thou  in  him." 


ON    THt    LOVE    OF   GOD. 


4i 


III!'- 


CHAPTER  II. 

On  the  Love  of  God* 

.IVHEN  we  consider  the  Attributes  which  am 
;ascribed  to  the  Divine  Being,  and  the  r^ation 
in  which  we  ^tasd  to  him,  nothing  can  be  more 
jeasonable^  nothing  nK)re  becoming  that  rela- 
tion, than  die  trijbute  of  Love :  .it  ia  a  diaposition 
.of  mind  w^icK  wf  P*^t  peculiarlj  to  £uhivalr, 
as  being,  in  an  especial  m^nuer^  co^aected  both, 
with  our  duty  and  happiness.  When  this  foel- 
in<'  predominates  in  the  mind^  those  religious 
M6tcaints>  which  are  aptly  described  by  "the 
yoke  of  Christ/'  become  easy,  and  his  bmdeii 
is  made  Jight.  The  ways  of  righteousness  come 
to  be  "  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  its  paths 
are  peace. 

Having,  in  the  prefiminary  considerations^ 
treated  on  the  subject  of  love,  both  as  it  relates 
to  God  and  man,  it  will  not  be  necessai7  now 
]to  enlarge  much  upon  it.  This  duty  is,  how- 
ever, in  itself,  so  important,  and  the  Scriptures 
afford  so  many  exhortations  and  inducements  to 
it,  that  it  cannot  be  passed  over  here ;  nor 
should  the  cautions  against  those  things  which 
lessen  the  sens^  of  it  upon  our  minds,  be  overr 
looJ^edK 


When    our  Saviour   was   insidiously  asked ; 
"  Which  is  the  great  commandment  of  the  law  r" 
the  reply  was,  "  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy 
God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul, 
and  with  all  thy  mind.     This  is  the  first  and 
great  commandment/'     Did  we  place  this  duty 
aofficiently  before  usj  as  the  most  desirable  ob- 
ject of  our  attainment,  and  frequently  examine 
ourselves  respecting  it;  considering  at  the  same 
time  the  many  reasonable  motives  which  we 
have  for  fultilling  it;  we  should  be  likely  to 
witness  an  increase  of  tliis  love  i»  our  hearts, 
aixl  feelingly  to  unite  with  the  expressions  of 
Holy  Writ:  "  I  love  thy  commandments  above 
gold,  yea  above  line  goldw  -   Iliy  word  is  very 
pure,  therefore  thy  ser xam  loveth  it.     Oh !  love 
the  l^rd,  all  ye  saints;  for  the  Lord  preserveth 
the  faithful,  and  plentifully  rewardeth  the  proud 
doer.     Let  theua  fchat  love  thy  name  be  joyful 
in  thee;  for  tho«,  Lord !  wilt  bless  the  righteous. 
X^t  such  as  love  thy  salvation  say  continually, 
the  Lord  be  magniiied.     The  Lord  preserveth 
all  them  that  love  him." 

But  of  all  the  inducements  to  the  love  of 
God,  tliere  is  none  S9  powerfol  as  that  >vhich 
tlie  Apostle  nientionsw  "  God  commeridetfii 
liis  love  towards  us,  in  that,  while  we  were^yef^- 

D  3 


ti 


4t 


ON   THE   LOVE   OF   GOD. 


ON  THE   LOVE   OV  GOBi 


«» 


sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.'*  In  the  enjoyment 
ef  this  consoling  faith,  Christians  can  say,  "  the 
love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  *  in  our  hearts,  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us."  Such 
was  the  prevalence  and  the  establishment  of 
this  Ibve  in  the  heart  of  the  Apostle,  and  some 
of  his  fellow  believers,  that  he  could  confidently 
declare :  "  I  am  persuaded  that  neither  death, 
nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor 
powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come^. 
nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature, 
shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
61  od,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 

The  principal  proof  of  our  love,  arises  from 
•ur  obedience  to  what  we  know  to  be  the  Di-^ 
vine  will  concerning  ««,  or  his  commandments 
to  us.  ^  If  ye  love  me  (says  our  Saviour)  keep 
my  commandments."  —  Consistent  with  this 
language,  is  that  of  the  Apostle  John:  "'This 
is  the  love  of  God,  that  we  keep  his  com« 
mandments^  and  ^  his  commandments  are  not 
grievous." 

In  order  to  guard  us  against  the  loss  of  that* 
love,  which  is  so  important  a  part  of  our  duty^ 
ibe  following  advices  and  cautions  are  giveffT. 
^  ^«t  jouj:  affections  on  things  above;  and-not  out 


things  on  the  earth ;  love  not  the  world,  neither 
the  things  which  are  in  the  world:  If  any  man 
love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not 
in  him:  for  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of 
the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of 
life,  are  not  of  the  Father,  but  of  the  world. 
The  world  passeth  away  and  the  lust  thereof: 
whosoever  will  be  a  friend  of  the  world,  is  the 
enemy  of  God ;  for  the  friendship  of  the  world 
is  enmity  with  God."  Let  not  these  interesting 
cautions  and  observations  be  forgotten;  and 
tlien  the  following  salutations .  of  the  Apostle 
may  be  verified  in  our  experience:  "  The  Lord 
direct  your  hearts  unto  the  love  of  God,  and 
unto  the  patient  waiting  for  Christ— Grace  be- 
^ith  all  them,  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
insincerity/* 


^\<i 


CHAPTER  IIL 

On  the  Fear  of  Ood. 

J.  iTE  next  Duty  which  we  owe  to  the  Divine 
Being,  and  which  may  pr<)bably'  be  considered 
by  many  as  previous  to  that  of  Love,  is  the 
fear  of  offending  Him.  This  has  been,  in  all 
ages,  the  disposition  of  the  righteous,  by  which 
they  have  been,  in  a  great  measure,  preserved 
from  falling  into  those  irreligious  and  immoral 
practices,  which  draw  down  Divine  displeasure 
on  men.  When  we  consider  ihe  Omnipotence, 
the  Omniscience,  and  the  Justice  of  God,  we 
^all  find  abundant  cause  for  cherishing  this 
Fear,  accompanied  with  an  awful  reverence  of 
Spirit  tow  ards  him.  So  forcibly  was  this  duty 
impressed  on  the  mind  of  one  of  the  Patriarchs, 
that  the  Divine  Being  was  styled,  "  The  Fear 
of  Isaac."  Joseph  was-  an  eminent  example  of 
the  beneficial  effects  of  this  Fear.  He  says  of 
himself,  "  1  fear  God;"  and  he  gave  a  striking 
proof  of  it,  when,  under  a  peculiar  temptation, 
he  resisted  it  with  thi^  memorable  language : 
"  How  can  1  do  this  great  wickedness,  and  sin 
against  God?" 

When  we  attend  to  all  the  beneficial  conse- 
quences which  are  described  in  Scripture,  as 
the  result  of  this  virtue,  its  importance  must 
^rcibly  impress  our  minds;  and  should  stimi^ 


<9N  THE   FfiAR   OT   GOB. 


43 


Uste  us  to  the  attainment  of  it.  **  Tliou  shalt 
fear  the  Lord  thy  God,**  was  a  precept  early^ 
given  to  the  Jewish  nation,  and  was  added  to 
many  of  their  legal  hastitutrons,  as  an  incentive 
to  duty.  In  the  Book  of  Job,  we  have  a  grand 
"Ascription  of  the  inestimable  value  of  true  wis- 
dom ;  which  is,  after  all  that  is  said  of  it,  reduced 
to  this  simple,  but  important  point :  "  The  fear 
of  tlie  Lord,  that  is  wisdom,  and  to  depart  from 
evil  is  understanding."  Solomon  concludes  his 
»o  less  fine  description  of  wisdom  in  similar 
words:  "The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning 
of  wisdom;  and  the  knowledge  of  the  Holy  is 
'understanding."  In  this  description  of  wisdom, 
he  also  says :  *'  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  to  hate 
evil :  pride,  and  arrogancy,  and  the  evil  way, 
and  the  fro  ward  mouth,  do  I  hate."  Again, "  By 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  men  depart  from  evil.  ,  It 
is  a  fountain  of  life,  preserving  from  the  snares 
«f  death.  By  humility  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
are  riches,  and  honour,  and  life." 

The  Psalmist  inculcates  the  Divine  fear,  in 
tJiis  inviting  language ;  "  Come,  ye  children, 
and  I  Mill  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 
What  man  is  he  tliat  desifeth  life,  and  loveth 
many  days,  that  he  may  see  good  ?  Keep  thy 
.tongue  from  evil,  and  thy  lips. from  speaking 
guile.     Depart  from  evil  and  do  good;  seek 


A6 


ON    THE   FEAE   OF  GQIX. 


t)N    THE  TEAR   OF   GO». 


^ 


till 


m 


peace  and  pursue  it.  Tbe  eyes  of  the  LonT 
are  upon  the  righteous,  and  his  ears  are  open 
to  their  cry.  The  face  of  Ae  Lord  is  against 
Aem  that  do  evil,  to  cut  off  the  remembrance 
of  them  from  the  earth."  We  have  many  other 
incitements  to  this  duty  in  the  Scriptures;  par- 
ticularly in  the  Psalms :  "  God  is  greatly  to  he 
feared  in  the  assembly  of  the  saints^  and  to  be  ' 
liad  in  reverence  of  all  them  that  are  about  him- 
Me  is  to  be  feared  above  all  gods.  Thou,  even 
thou,  O  God  of  Jacob!  art  to  be  feared;  and-, 
who  may  stand  in  thy  sight,  when  once  thou  att 
angry?  But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  that 
thou  mayest  be  feared.  Stand  in  awe,  and  $ia 
not.  Serve  the  Lord  with  fear,  and  rejoice 
with  trembling.  Let  all  the  earth  fear  the  Lord. 
Let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in  awe 
of  him.  The  Lord  reigneth,  let  the  people 
tremble.  He  sitteth  between  the  Cherubim, 
let  the  earth  be  moved.  Who  would  not  fear 
thee,  O  King  of  Nations!  for  to  thee  doth  it. 
appertain.?" 

But  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Cliristians  are 
taught  whom  they  should  not  fear,  as  well  as 
whom  they  should  fear.  "  Ye  shall  not  fear 
other  gods.  Learn  not  the  way  of  the  heathen, 
and  be  not  dismayed  at  the  signs  of  Heaven^; 


sfor  the  customs  of  the  people  are  vain.  The 
fear  of  man  bringeth  a  snare.  Pear  ye  not  the 
reproach  of  men,  neither  "be  ye  afraid  of  their 
revilings.  I,  even  I,  am  he  that  comforteth 
you :  Who  art  thou,  that  thou  shouldst  be  afraid 
of  a  man  that  utisdl  die,  and  of  the  son  of  a  man 
which  shall  be  made  as  grass ;  and  forgettest  the 
Lowi  thy  maker,  that  bath  stretched  forth  the 
Heavens,  and  laid  tfee  foundations  of  the  earth?** 

Our  blessed  Redeemer  gave  his  disciples 
some  j)articular  instructions  on  this  subject : 
**  I  say  tmto  you,  my  friends,  be  not  afraid  of 
them  that  kill  the  body,  and  after  that  have  no 
inoFe  that  they  can  do.  But  I  will  forewarn 
you  whom  ye  shall  fear.  Fear  him,  vvho,  after 
^e  hath  killed,  hath  power  to  cast  into  Hell^ 
yea,  I  say  unto  you,  fear  Him." 

Thus  we  find  in  every  ^pensafion,  tlie  fear 
of  God  was  a  necessary  attainment.  It  formed 
a  prominent  part  in  that  message  delivered  by 
the  Angel,  who  was  seen  to  "  fly  in  the  midst  of 
Heaven,  having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach 
unto  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth ;  saying  with  a 
loud  voice,  Fear  God,  and  give  glory  to  him, 
for  the  hour  of  his  judgments  is  come ;  and 
worship  him  that  made  Heaven  and  Earth ;  an4 
'3tiJe  Sea,  and  the  Fountains  of  Waters." 


OK   RELIGiaUS    MEDITATION. 


4» 


t  ■ 


iii|i 


CHAPTER  IV. 

On  Religious  Meditation, 

WjY  Religious  Meditation,  is  meant,  that  k-' 
ward  retireiDeot  of  mind  from  the  cares  and 
concerns  of  this  world,  in  which  we  may  con- 
template the  works  of  God,  both  in  creation 
and  redemptioyf  and  consider  the  duties  whick 
'Vve  ow€^  to  him,  and  one  to  another. 

To  have  (he  mind  frequently  engaged  in  this 
manner,  is  of  no  small  importance  to  the  reli- 
gious improvement  of  a  Christian.  For  this 
purpose,  as  well  as  for  diat  of  inward  retire- 
ment and  private  prayer,  some  persons  set  apart 
particular  times  of  the  day;  whilst  others  find  it 
practicable,  when  they  aje  engaged  in  theitt 
outward  employments,  inwardly  to  retire  from 
the  world's  concerns,  secretly  to  meditate  upon 
the  law  of  the  Lord,  to  wait  upon  him  for  the 
Tenewal  of  their  spiritual  strength,  and  to  pour 
out  their  supplications  unto  him*  To  prescribe 
the  mode  of  performing  these  duties,  is  not  my 
})usines«;  and  indeed  it  is  a  point  in  which  we 
cannot  well  prescribe  one  for  another,  lliat 
they  are  duties,  importapt  and  beneficial,  will, 
no  doubt,  be  generally  admitted :  and  we  have 
reason  to  believe,  tliat  they  have  been  practised 
by  the  righteous  of  all  gfineratious.     We  am 


tjpid  that  Enoch  walked  with  God;  and  we  may 
reasonably  suppose,  that  this  was  by  secret  com- 
munion with  him,  and  meditatioa  upon  his 
Avorks  and  commands. 

Of  rcligioiis  meditatiMi,  we  have  an  example 
in  the  case  of  Isaac ;  and  from  the  incidental 
mention  of  his  "  gomg  into  the  field  at  eventide 
to  meditate,**  a  presumptive  proof,  at  least,  w 
afforded,  that  a  similar  practice  w^s  not  uncom- 
mon with  t!»e  Patriarchs.     To  Joshua,  the  suc^ 
i^essfiil  leader  of  the  children  of  Israel  into  the 
promised  land,  diis command  was  given:  "This 
1)ook  of  the  law  sliall  not  depart  out  of  thy 
mouth ;  but  thou  shall  meditate  therein  day  and. 
flight,  that  thou  mayst  observe  to  do  according 
*=to  all  that  is  written  therein;  for  then  thou  shalt 
make  thy  way  prosperous,  and  then  thou  shalt 
•have  good  success.*     We  have  but  little  left 
on  record  in  the  Scriptures,  of  tfce  private,  reli- 
gious exercises  of  those  concerning  whom  thej 
«re  written,  previously  to  the  Book  of  Psalms. 
Here  we  find  in  the  first  Psalm,  religious  medi- 
tation represented  as  a  matenal  part  of  the 
^employment  of  the  man  who  is  styled  blessed. 
'**  His  delight,  sa}'8  the  Psalmist,  is  m  the  laff 
of  the  Lord,  and  in  his  law  doth  he  meditate 
•day  and  night."     It  was,  no  doubt,  to  this  duty 
that  tfie  Psalipist  alluded,  whei  he  gtt\'e  tht| 


m 


50 


ON    RELIGIOUS    MEDITATIOJT. 


O^    RELIGIOUS    MEDITATfON. 


St 


i^' 


exhortation :  "  Commune  with  your  own  heart 
upon  your  bed;  and  be  still."  The  benefits 
wliich  result  from  religious  meditation  are  thus 
described:  ^'  My  soul  shall  be  satisfied  as  with 
marrow  and  fatness,  and  my  mouth  shall  praise 
thee  with  joyful  lips,  when  I  remember  thee 
upon  my  bed,  and  meditate  on  thee  in  the  night 
"watches."  Again  we  find  tliis  employment 
excellently  and  profitably  illustrated,  and  its 
Ijenefits  under  close  confiicts  strongly  described. 
^*  1  have  considered  the  days  of  old ;  the  years 
of  ancient  times.  I  call  to  remembrance  my 
^ong  in  the  night,  and  my  spirit  made  diligent 
search.  Will  the  Lord  cast  oflf  for  ever;  and 
will  he  be  favourable  no  more :"  After  various 
considerations  of  this  kind,  the  Psalmist  con- 
cludes in  this  manner:  "  Surely  I  will  remem- 
ber thy  wonders  of  old.  I  will  meditate  also 
of  all  thy  work,  and  talk  of  thy  doings.  Tliy 
way,  O  God,  is  in  the  sanctuary:  Who  is  so 
great  a  God  as  our  Go^?' 

But  tlie  Inspired  writers  did  not  confine  their 
meditation,  to  the  law  of  their  God,  or  to  his 
providential  dealings  with  his  people.  They 
saw  him,  and  they  adored  hjm,  in  the  works  of 
creation.  From  these  tliey  drew  many  beauti- 
ful similes;  and  inculcated  much  important  and 


it 


tumbling  instruction.  "  The  Heavens  declare 
die  glory  of  God,  and  the  firmament  Jshowetfi 
his  hatidywork.  Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech, 
and  night  unto  night  showelh  knowledge. 
There  is  no  speech  or  language  where  tlieir 
voice  is  not  heard."  Again,  "  When  I  consider 
thy  Heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers,  the  moon 
.  and  the  stars  which  thou  hast  ordained ;  [I  ex- 
claim} W  hat  is  man  that  thou  art  mindful  of 
him;  or  the  sou  of  man  that  thou  visitest  him!'' 

Our  duties  also  afford  very  copious  subjects 
for  our  meditation  :  Thus  the  Apostle  Paul 
enumerates  many  particulars  of  a  very  compre- 
hensive nature,  and  recommends  them  to  the 
contemplation  of  his  favourite  Philippians : 
'*  Whatsoever  things  are  true,  whatsoever  things 
are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just,  what- 
soever things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  are 
lovely,  whatsoever  things  are  of  good  report ;  if 
tliere  be  any  virtue,  if  there  be  any  praise,  think 
on  those  things;"  To  this  exhortation  he  adds 
tliese  memorable  woi-ds:  "  Those  things  which 
ye  have  both  learned,  and  received,  and  heard, 
and  seen  in  me,  do;  and  tlie  God  of  PeacO 
abaH  be  with  you." 


WATCHFULNESS,  &C. 


5S^ 


CHAPTER  V. 

WatchfulntM  and  tcaiting  upon  Go^, 

J.  HESE  Duties  are  intimately  connected 
"with  each  other.  Watchfulness  is  an  exercise 
,of  the  mind^  in  which  we  are  concerned  to 
guard  against  the  approach  and  attack  of  evil 
on  the  one  hand ;  and  on  the  other^  to  be  look- 
ing for,  and  ready  to  recdre  tlie  communicatioib 
of  DiTine  good  to  the  soul.  The  last  may  be 
termed  wailing  upon  God.  Tliis  expression 
may  also  be  applied  to  a  dependence  on  the 
Divine  care  and  bounty,  for  the  supply  of  our 
spiritual  and  temporal  wants;  and  patiently 
waiting  the  Lord's  time  for  this  supply. 

Wh&n  we  consider  liow  we  are  siurrounded  nt. 
this  world  by  temptations  Uy  evil;  bow  mucl^ 
©ur  own  propensities  incline  us  to  compJy  with 
it;  and  that,  in  addition  to  these  inducements, 
there  is  also  an  unwearied  enemy  and  evil  spirit,, 
who  is  seeking  our  destniction ;  watchfulness 
will  appear  to  be  an  indispensable  duty.  I'ke 
world,  the  flesh,  and  tlie  devil,  are  ail  repre- 
sented in  Holy  writ  as  enemies,  against  which 
it  is  necessary  to  be  upon  our  guard.  '*  "^The. 
world  lieth  in  wickedness,  and  its  friendship  is 
enmity  with  Ciod.    The  ilcsh  lusteth  agamst 


tie  Spirit;"  and  so  powerful  is  that  enemy,  who 
has  tliese  weapons  to  war  with  against  our  hap- 
piness, that  an  Apostle  formerly  gave  this  im- 
portant exhortation  to  the  early  believers:  "  Be 
sober,  be  vigilant,  for  your  adversary  the  devil, 
as  a  roaring  lion,  goeth  about,  seeking  whom- 
he  may  devour/'  When  these  considerations 
have  taken  place  in  our  minds,  we  shall  be  con- 
■  vinced  of  the  propriety  of  that  uuiversal  com- 
mand, given  by  our  blessed  Saviour;  "  What  I 
say  unto  you,^  I  say  unto  all ;  watch."  Again, 
"  W^atch  and  pray  that  ye  enter  not  into  temp- 
tation." Thus  also  the  Apostles,  "  Watch  ye, 
stand  fast  in  the  faith ;  quit  you  like  men,  bo 
strong.  Let  us  watch,  and  be  sober.  Be  ye 
sober  and  watch  unto  prayer." 

The  truly  humble  minded  Christian,  is  (tc^ 
gently  brought  to  feel  his  own  incapacity  for 
every  good  word  and  work.  He  is  often  made 
sensible  of  that  impoitant  truth,  inculcated  by 
his  Divine  master:  "  No  man  can  come  unto 
me,  except  the  Father  which  sent  me,  draw 
him."  From  this  sense  and  feeling,  lie  finds 
rfie  necessity  of  patiently  waiting  upon  God,  for 
help  and  ^rength  in  the  performance  of  his  re-- 
Kgious  duties.  The  benefit  of  this  state  ojf 
•ynd  is  freijuently  described  in  Holy  Writ,  andi 


A 


WATCHFULNESS   AND 


WAITING   UPON    G0». 


t» 


%    !■ 


its  duty  strongly  enforced :  '^  Wait  on  the  Lord^ 
be  of  good  courage,  and  he  shall  strengthen  thy 
heart ;  wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord."     Again,  "  I4 
waited  patiently  on  the  Lord,  and  he  inclined 
unto  me,  and  heard  my  cry.     He  brought  me 

up  also  out  of  a  horrible  pit,  out  of  the  miry 
clay ;  and  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,  and  esta- 
blished my  goings;  and  he  hath  put  a  new  song, 
in  my  moutli,  even  praise  unto  our  God.  Many 
sliall  see  it  andfear,  and  shall  trust  in  the  Lord. 
Thus  does  the  royal  Psalmist  describe  the  bene- 
ficial consequences  of  waiting  upon  God ;  and 
Solomon  represents  wisdom,  no  doubt  the  "  wis- 
dom which  is  from  above,"  speaking  in  this, 
manner :  "  Blessed  is  the  man  that  heareth  me^ 
watching  daily  at  my  gates,  waiting  at  the  post^ 
of  my  doors." 

The  prophet  Habakkuk  appears  to  have  beea 
sensible  of  the  importance  of  this  duty,  both  fo¥ 
his  own  particular  benefit,  and  for  the  fulfilment 
of  his  prophetical  office :  "  I  will  stand  upon 
my  watch,  and  set  me  upon  the  tower,  and  will 
watch  to  sec  what  he  will  say  unto  me,  and 
what  I  shall  answer  when  I  am  reproved."  lu 
this  state  of  mind  he  received  the  Divine  com- 
munication and  commission,  to  "  write  the 
^ion^^  and  make  it  plain  upon  tables^  that  hd: 


may  inin  that  readeth  it."  Thus  also  we  fisd  IRe 
Apostles  were  commanded  by  their  Heavenly 
Master,  previously  to  their  entfermg  on  their 
Apostolical  office,  "  to  wait  at  Jerusalem  for 
the  promise  of  the  Father;  which,  saith  he,  ye 
have  heard  of  me," 

I  shall  conclude  this^  subject  with  the  lively 
description,  given  by  the  evangelical  prophet, 
of  the  benefits  arising  from  this  exercise  of 
mind :  "  Even  the  youths  shall  faint  and  grow 
weary,  and  the  young  men  shall  utterly  fall; 
but  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord,  shall  renew 
their  strength ;  they  shall  mount  up  with  wingy 
as  eagles;  they  shall  run,  and  not  be  weary  1. 
they  shall  walk,  and  not  faint." 


•N   FKATn. 


St 


I 


CHAPTER  Vr. 

On  Prayer, 

Of  all  llie  Duties  which  Religion  requirer^ 
there   is  not  one  more  clearly  obligatory,  or 
more    interestingly   important^    than    that    of 
Prayer ;  by  which  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say^ 
is  meant,  the  making  our  requests  known  to 
God,  for  those  tilings  of  which  we  stand  in 
need,  whether  temporal  or  spiritual.     This  is  a 
duty  which  we  may  be  said  to  owe  to  ourselves, 
as  well  as   to   God.     .When  we  consider  our 
manifold  wants,  our  infirmities,  and  our  dangers, 
with  our  incapacity  to  supply  or  relieve  our- 
selves; and  when  w©  reflect^  that  the  Divine 
Being  alone  is  capable  of  affording  us  that  sup- 
ply and  assistance,  which  are  necessary  for  our 
present  and  future  well-being;  the  importance 
of  this  duty  to  ourselves,  or  for  our  own  bene- 
fit, nmst  be  obvious.    Again,  when  we  consider, 
that  God  is  the  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect 
gift;    that   the    earth    is   his,   and    the   fulness 
thereof;  that  in  him  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of 
/wisdom   and  knowledge;    these  considerations, 
sliow,  that  prayer  is  a  duty  which  we  owe  to  his 
Omnipotence  and  Goodnessi  but,  in  addition  to 
these  reasonable  considerations,  the  commands 
which  are  given  us  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  im- 
pose prayer  upon  us,  as  being  indispensably  du^- 
to  the  Almighty,. 


We  have  various  precepts  and  examples,  re- 
tpecting  this  duty,  in  the  Old  Testament,  all 
tending  to  incite  us  to  ^  lift  up  our  hearts  with 
our  hands  to  God  in  the  Heavens  -J*  bat  m  the 
^ew  Testament  the  directions  are  most  full 
and  particular.  Our  blessed  Lord  hiciiicated 
Ihid  duty  very  forcibly  among  iris  disciples;  and 
we  are  told,  tliat  ^'  he  spake  a  parable  to  them 
to  this  end,  that  men  ought  alwayi^  to  pray,  and 
not  to  faiat.''  The  Apostle  Pa«d  is  very  earnest 
iu  his  iejunetions  on  this  head :  *^  Be  carefal  (o* 
atixious)  for  nothing;  bitt  in  every  thing,,  by 
prayer  and  supplioatioo,  with  thanksgiving,  let 
your  reqtiests  be  made  known  unto  GodL  Con- 
tinue hi  prayer,  and  watcE  in  the  same  with 
thanksgiving.  Pray  without  ceasing.  I  will 
therefore  that  men  pray  every  where,  lifting  up 
holy  hands,  without  wrath  and  doubting :  that 
supplications,  prayers,  intercessions,  and  giving 
of  thanks,  be  made  for  all  men;  for  Kings  and 
for  those  that  are  in  authority ;  that  we  may  lead 
a  quiet  and  peaceable  life,  in  all  godliness  and 
honesty  ;  ^  this  is  good  and  acceptable  in  the 
sight  of  God,  our  Saviour." 

But  there  are  some  circumstances  necessary 
to  be  attended  to,  in  order  to  make  our  prayers 
acceptable,  and  such  as  will  be  likely  to  pro- 
cure a  favourable  answer  to  tbeio.    The  first 


55 


©N    PR AY EH. 


of  these  is,  sincerity  of  heart,  in  the  al'iorrence 
of  sin,  and  in  desires  after  holiness  and  purity. 
Of  this  the  Psalmist  appears  ta  have  been  fully 
sensible,  when  he  says>  "  If  I  regard  iniquity  iii 
my  heart,  the  Lord  will  not  hear  me."  Again, 
"  1  will  wash  my  hands  in  innocency ,  so  will  I 
encompass  thy  altar,  O  God!"  Solomon  al^ 
makes  a  memorable  observation  on  this  subject : 
"  He  that  turiieth  away  his  ear  from  hearing 
the  law,  even  his  prayer  shall  be  an  abomination 
to  the  Lord.'*  In"  another  place  he  says, 
"The  sacrifice  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomina- 
tion to  the  Lord:  but  the  prayer  of  the  upright 
i»  his  delight."  In  the  answer  which  the  }K)uiig, 
man  who  had  been  blind,  made  to  the  cavilling 
Jews,  we  have  an  instructive  remark  on  the 
qualification  for  true  prayer:  "  W^e  know  that 
God  heareth  not  sinners;  but  if  any  man  be  a 
worshipper  of  God,  and  doeth  his  will,  him  he 
heareth."  The  Apostle  John  also  inculcate* 
a  similar  doctrine  :  "  Belov-ed,  if  our  hearts 
condemn  us  not,  then  have  we  confidence  to- 
wards God;  and  whatsoever  we  ask  we  receive 
©t  him,  because  we  keep  his  commandments,  and 
do  those  tilings  that  are  pleasing  in  his  sight." 

The  direction  and  caution  which  were  given 
by  our  Saviour  on  this  subject,  should  also  be 
2«;meinbered|  in  order  to  avoid  that  osteutaiious 


ON    PTtAYER, 


s§ 


disposition  w'hich  mars,  in  the  sight  of  God,  sfU 
our  otherwise  good  words  and  works  :  "  VVheu 
thou  prayest,  thou  shalt  not  be  as  the  hypocrites 
are ;  for  they  love  to  pray  standing  in  the  syna- 
gogues, and  in  the  corners  of  die  streets,  that 
they  may  be  seen  of  men.  But  thou,  when 
thou  prayest,  enter  into  tby  closet;  and  when 
tiiou  hast  shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father, 
\ylio  is  in  secret ;  and  thy  Father  who  seedi  iu 
secret,  sliall  reward  thee  ojjenly." 

Our  Lord  having  tbus  cautioned  bis  disciples 
against  a  desire  to  be  seen  and  praised  of  men, 
proceeds  to  correct  another  false  apprehension 
which  some  had  entertained,  that  they  should 
be  heard  for  their  much  speaking.  Of  this  no- 
tion he  exposes  the  folly;  and,  in  order  to  exem- 
plify the  doctrine  which  he  taught,  he  gives  his 
disciples  a  most  comprehensive,  and  at  the  same 
time  concise,  specimen  of  prayer. 

**  Our  Father  who  art  in  Heaven,  hallowed 
be  thy  name ;  thy  kingdom  come :  thy  will  be 
done  in  eartb  as  it  is  in  Heaven.  Give  us  this 
day  our  daily  bread ;  and  forgive  us  our  debts  as 
we  forgive  our  debtors ;  and  lead  us  not  into 
temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil ;  for  thine 
is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory^  for 
^e\er.     Ameu." 


m 


ON    PRAYElt. 


ON    PRAYER. 


«1 


if 


On  one  part  of  this  excellent  prayer  our  blessed 
Liord  makes  a  short  comment,  to  show  tiie  im- 
portance of  a  disposition  of  mind,  which,  througk 
Diviiie  grace,  it  -is  iu  our  power,  and  is  certainly 
<our  duty,  to  attain.  **  If  ye  forgive  men  thetr 
trespasses,  your  heavenly  Father  wiii  also  forgive 
you ;  but  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespas^es^ 
neither  will  your  Father  forgive  your  trespasses.*' 
Of  how  great  importance  is  this  duty  of  for- 
giveness! and,  may  it  not  be  added,  how  little 
is  it  attended  to  ? 

Our  approaches  to  the  throne  of  Divine  gracey 
ought  also  to  be  accompanied  with  a  trust  ia 
the  mediation  and  intercession  of  Jesus  Christ ; 
to  which  he  himself  holds  out  this,  and  other  en- 
couraging promises :  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unta 
you;  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  tlje  Father  in  my 
name,  he  will  give  it  you.''  We  are  also  di» 
rected  to  "  ask  in  faith,  nothing  wavering/* 

.  There  is  another  important  requisite  neces* 
.  sary  to  be  attended  to,  in  the  performance  o£ 
the  solemn  duty  of  prayer.  This  is,  the  assist- 
ance of  the  Holy  Spirit;  the  necessity  of  which 
the  Apostle  Paul  clearly  sets  forth,  when  he 
says,  "  The  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities : 
for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for,  at 
we  ought ;  but  the  Spirit  itself  maketh  interces- 
jiion  for  us,  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  u^ 


tered :  and  he  that  searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth 
what  is  in  the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  because  he 
maketh  intercession  for  the  saints  according  to 
the  will  of  God."  The  same  Apostle,  in  ano- 
tlier  place,  descri  bes  true  prayer  in  this  manner : 
"  Praying  always,  with  all  prayer  and  supplica- 
tion in  the  Spirit ;  and  watching  thereunto  with 
all  perseverance." 

But  notwithstanding  these  requisites  for  tlie 
performance  of  true  prayer,  let  not  any  be  dis- 
couraged from  an  attention  to  this  important 
duty  from  a  sense  of  their  own  imperfections, 
or  from  an  apprehension  that  their  minds  are  not 
sufficiently  under  a  superior  influence  to  enter 
upon  it.  If  we  are  sincerely  desirous  of  being 
brought  into  a  state  of  perfect  acceptance  with 
our  Maker,  we  may  approach  him  with  an 
humble  dependence  on  the  Spirit  and  mediation 
of  his  Son,  putting  up  our  prayers  unto  him,  and 
*'  watchmg  thereunto  with  all  perseverance.'^ 
Thus  the  penitent  sinner  will  meet  with  that 
-gracious  acceptance,  which  is  mercifully  held 
out  to  him,  and  the  truth  of  the  language  of  die 
Psalmist,  will  be  verified  in  his  experience :— i 
"  As  the  Heaven  is  high  above  the  earth,  s» 
great  is  his  mercy  towards  them  that  fear  Him. 
As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west/ so  far  hath  , 


6e 


ON    PRAYER. 


% 

I 


t 

I 


he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us.  Like 
as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord 
pitieth  them  that  fear  him :  for  he  knoweth  our 
frame,  he  remembereth  that  we  are  dust." 

Great  is  the  importance  of  a  due  attention  to 
the  duty  on  which  we  are  now  treating,  and  to 
the  various  circumstances  necessary  for  its  ac- 
ceptable performance.  Of  this  the  Psalmist 
appears  to  have  been  deeply  sensible,  when  he 
preferred  this  petition  to  the  Divine  Bein^: 
"  Let  my  prayer  come  up  before  thee  as  in- 
cense, and  the  lifting  up  of  my  hands  as  an 
evening  sacrifice."  For  want  of  a  due  attention 
to  those  circumstances,  there  is  reason  to  fear, 
that  many  at  this  time  may  be  subject  to  the 
same  remark,  which  the  Apostle  James  makes 
concerning  son>e  in  his  day :  "  Ye  fight  and 
war,  yet  ye  liave  not,  because  ye  ask  not;  ye 
ask  and  receive  not,  because  ye  ask  amiss;  that 
ye  may  consume  it  upon  your  lusts."  On  the 
other  liand,  we  are  told  by  the  same  Apostle, 
that  "  the  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
availeth  much."  This,  we  have  good  reason  to 
believe,  is  the  Prayer  which  ascends  like  incense, 
before  the  Throne  of  God,  and  of  the  Lamb. 


CHAPTER  VIL 

On  Thanhgixing  and  Pram* 

Thanksgiving  is  an  expression  of  om- 

gratitude  to  the  Divine  Being,  for  favours  re- 
ceived. Praise  may  convey  a  sense  of  admira- 
tion, as  well  as  of  gratitude ;  aiKl  is  applicable 
to  the  power  and  wisdom,  as  well  as  to  the 
goodness  of  God.  Thus  the  Psalmist :  "  Oh 
that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  good- 
ness, and  for  his  wonderfiU  works  to  the  chih- 
dren  of  men !" 

m 

The  reasonabfeness  of  these  duties,  and  th6 
obligations  to  perform  them,  are  so  self-evident 
to  every  considerate  mind>  that  believes  in  a 
Divine  Being  and  Providence,  that,  if  we  had 
no  injunctions  to  the  practice  of  them,  they 
would  unavoidably  become  an  almost  involun- 
tary effusion  from  every  feeling  heart.     But  it 
is  to  be  regretted  that,  either  from  want  of  con- 
sideration, or  from  want  of  sensibility,  tlicre  are 
among  those,  who  are  surrounded  with  blessings 
on  every  hand,  many  who  are  inattentive  to  the 
favours  which  they  enjoy,  or  ungrateful  for  them. 
Ingratitude  to  the  Divine  Being  for  temporal 
or  spiritual  blessings,  is  a  sin  which  is  peculiarly 
marked  by  his  displeasure.     Of  this  we  have  9. 

F  2 


64        ON   THAKKS61VIKG   AND   FBAISB. 


ON   THANKSGIVING    AND    PRAISE.        G5 


k' 


strong  proof  in  the  instance  of  the  Israelites,  of 
whom,  after  recapitulating  the  peculiar  favours 
by  which  they  had  been  distinguished,  it  is  said; 
'*  But  Jeshurun  waxed  lat  asd  kicked«-then 
he  forsook  God  who  made  him,  and  lightly 
esteemed  the  rock  of  his  salvation.  They  pra- 
yoked  him  to  jealousy  with  strange  gods,  they 
sacrificed  unto  devils,  and  not  to  God.— -And 
"when  the  Lord  saw  it,  he  abhorred  them,  be- 
cause of  the  provokiag  of  his  sons  and  ^f  Jt^s 
daughters.'^ 

> 

Here  we  see  the  idolatry  of  the  Jews  de- 
jKiqribed,  as  the  consequence  of  their  ingratitude 
for  the  blessings  which  were  conferred  upou 
them ;  and  the  Apostle,  in  describing  the  de>- 
praved  state  of  the  heathen  world,  both  in  its 
religion  and  morality,  traces  it  to  the  same 
source :  "  Because  that  when  they  knew  God, 
they  glori^ed  him  not  as  God,  neither  were 
thankful :  but  became  vain  in  their  imagina- 
tions, and  dieir  foolish  heart  was  darkened; 
professing  to  be  wise  they  became  fools ;  and 
changed  the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  God 
into  an  image  made  like  to  corruptible  man ; 
and  to  birds,  and  to  four-footed  beasts,  and 
creeping  things.  Wherefore  God  afso  gave  diem 
up  to  uucleaiuies3>  through  the  lusts  of  theu  awn 


lieartS;  to  dishonour  their  own  bodies  between 
themselves  ;  who  changed  the  truth  of  God  into 
a  lie ;  and  worshipped  and  served  the  creature 
more  than  the  Creator,  who  is  blessed  for  ever. 
Amen."  When  we  consider  these  lamentable 
consequences,  as  the  result  of  unthank fulness 
and  ingratitude,  how  important  is  the  exhorta- 
tion of  the  prophet  Jeremiah :  "  Give  glory  tor 
the  Lord  your  God,  before  he  cause  darkness, 
and  before  your  feet  stumble  upon  the  dark 
mountain;  and  wliile  ye  look  for  light,  he  turn 
it  into  the  shadow  of  death,  and  make  it  gross 
darkness.'* 


t  f 


Numerous  are  die  examples,  as  well  as  the 
exhortations,  which  are  contained  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  particularly  in  the  book  of 
Psalms,  relating  to  this  subject ;  from  which  it 
mav  be  sufficient  to  extract  the  followinsj :  "  It 
is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord, 
ajid  to  sing  praises  unto  thy  name,  O  Most 
High!  to  show  forth  thy  loving  kindness  in  the 
morning,  and  thy  faithfulness  every  night.  Let 
the  people  praise  ihec,  O  God !  let  all  the  peo- 
ple praise  thee.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ! 
and  all  that  is  wilhin  me  bless  his  holy  name. 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul !  and  forget  not  all 
his  benefits;   who  forgiveth  all  thy  iniquities ^ 

r  3 


f 


I 


66       ©N   THANKSGIVINO  AND   PRAISB. 

who  heakth  all  thy  diseases;  who  redeemeth 
thy  life  from  destruction;  who  crowneth  thee 
with  loving  kindness  ami  tender  mercies*  Oh  t 
that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  good- 
nebs,  and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  chil- 
dren of  men." 

The  inspired  writers  of  the  NeNV  Testament 
likewise  furnish  us  with  many  incitements  to 
this  duty.  Christianity  itself  was  introduced 
with,  "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,"  as  aa 
acknowledgment  previously  necessary  to  the 
promotion  of  "  peace  on  earth,  and  good  will 
towards  men."  We  find  the  mother  of  our 
Lord  pouring  out  her  soul,  in  a  grateful  song 
of  praise,  which  begins  with  this  pious  lan- 
guage :  *'  My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord,  and 
my  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my  Saviour— 
for  he  that  is  mighty  hath  done  to  me  great 
things;  and  holy  i»  his  name."  The  Apostle 
Paul  very  pressiiigly  inculcates  an  attention  to 
these  duties.  "  In  every  thing,"  says  he,  *'  give 
thanks;  for  tliis  is  the  will  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus.  And  be  not  drunk  with  wine,  whereiB 
is  excess;  bat  be  ye  filled  with  the  Spirit: 
speaking  to  yourselves  in  psalms,  and  in  hynras, 
and  in  spiritual  songs;  singing  and  making  me- 
4ody  in  yom*  heart  to  the  Lord  j  giving  thanks 


ON   THANKSGIVING   AND   PRAISE.        6? 

always,  for  aH  things,  unto  God  and  the  Father, 
in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  6^ 
him,  therefore,  let  us  oflfer  the  sacrifice  of  praise 
to  God  continually,  that  is  the  fruit  of  our  lips, 
giving  thanks  to  his  name." 

It  k  not,  however,  a  formal  performance  of 
this  duty  that  will  meet  with  divine  approba- 
tion.    It  masty  like  prayer,  be  the  produce  of 
a  humbled  and  sanctified  heart.     When  this  is 
attained  to,  thankfulness  and  praise  will  fre- 
quently become  involwitary  effusions,  and  ascend 
with  acceptance  before  Him,  who  is  the  giver 
of  every  good  and  perfect  gift;  and,  as  this  state 
of  mind  is  continued  in,  qualification  will  finally 
be  experienced  to  join  with  that  innumerable 
multitude,  mentioned  in  the  Book  of  Revela- 
tions, who  "  stood  before  the  Throne  and  be- 
fore the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes,  say- 
in<T,  Salvation  to  our  God,  who  sitteth  upon  the 
Throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb :"  to  which  sacred 
anthem  the  whole  Angelic  Host,  returned  this 
responsive  language :  "  Amen.     Blessing,  and 
glory,  and  wisdom,  and  thanksgiving,  and  ho- 
pour,  and  power,  and  might,  be  unto  our  God, 
for  ever  and  ever.    Amen.' 


.'  V 


h  h 


u 


CHAPTER  VIIK 

On  Public  Worship,  and  the  Approptiation  of  one  daff ' 
in  theueek  for  this  purpose. 

The   Public  Worship  of  the  Almighty  is  a 
special  duty  of  all  men,  who  have  opportunity 
and  ability  for  it.  This  results  from  the  relation 
in  -which  we  all  stand  to  God,  as  our  Creator, 
Preserver,  and  Benefactor.     Common  benefits 
demand   united   thanksgiving   and  praises.     A 
social   acknowledgment  of  these  mercies  and 
blessings,  not  only  becop^es  us  as  dependent 
Beings,  but  is  attended  with  various  advantages* 
The  rich  and  prosperous,  when  thus  assembled 
with  the  poor  and  afflicted,  and  acknowledging 
their  dependence  on  the.same  great  Benefactor^ 
may  learn  liumihty,  and  be  led  to  sentiments  of 
charity  towards   their   fellow-creatures.     I'he 
children  of  poverty,    and  distress,  whilst    as- 
sembled with  the  opulent,  and  joining  diem  in 
solemn  worship,  may  feel  that  they  are  all  the 
offspring  of  one  gracious  parent;   all   equally 
dependent  on  his  bounty  and  goodness;  and 
from  those  feelings;  they  may  learn  to  support, 
with  resignation  and  hope,  that  allotment  which 
the  Father  of  Mercies  has  assigned  to  them. 
In  the  one  class,  sentiments  of  pride  and  con- 
tempt for  others,   are  likely  to  be  suppressed  ; 
and  in  the  other;  envy,  discontent,  and  miir- 


ON    PUBLIC   TfORSHlP,   &C. 


69 


inunng,  are  discouraged.  Whatever  differences 
may  elsewhere  exist  among  men,  in  the  presence 
of  the  Divme  Being,  "  the  rich  and  ite  poor 
meet  [equally]  togedier ;  for  the  Lord  is  [equally] 
the  maker  of  them  all.'' 

The  Holy  Scriptures   inform   us,  that  this 
(duty  had  been  practised  in  all  ages,  by  those 
ivho  had  been  distinguished  for  piety  and  virtue* 
In  early  times  the  sacrifices  of  animals,  or  of- 
ferings of  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  were  the  most 
common  mode  of  publicly  acknowledging  a 
dependence  on  the  Divine  Being,   and  were 
most  probably  of  Divine  institution ;  but  wheo 
it  pleased  the  Almighty  to  separate  from  the 
rest  of  mankind  a  people,  whom  he  distinguished 
by  peculiar  precepts  and  favours,  it  appears 
that,  in  addition  to  those  offerings,  they  met  to- 
gether for  the  performance  of  Divine  Worship : 
**  Ye  shall  keep  my  sabbaths,  and  reverence  my 
sanctuary ;  I  am  the  Lord."  This  precept  points 
out  the  institution  of  a  time  and  place  for  public 
worship;    and  they  were  both  religiously  ob- 
served by  the  pious  among  the  Jews ;  though 
there   is   reason   to  believe   tliey   were   much 
neglected  by  many  of  another  description. 

Tlie  Psalmist,  with  that  humble  piety  which 
peculiarly  difftinguishes  his  character^  is  an  emi« 


t 


■^  { 


02*    PUBLIC    WORSHIP,    &C. 


71 


'fo 


ON    PUBLIC    WORSHIP,    &C: 


nent  instance  of  public,  as  well  as  private  de- 
votion :  "  As  for  me,  I  will  come  into  thy  house 
in  the  multitude  of  thy  mercy,  and  in  thy  fear 
will  I  worship  towards  thy  holy  temple."  Again, 
^*  We  will  go  into  his  tabernacle ;  we  will  wor- 
ship at  his  footstool."  And  in  order  that  he 
may  perform  tliis  service  acceptably,  he  forms 
an  excellent  resolution :  "  I  will  wash  my  hands 
in  innocency;  so  will  I  compass  thy  altar,  O 
Lord !  "^That  I  may  publish  with  the.  voice  of 
thanksgiving,  and  tell  of  all  thy  wondrous 
works."  Nor  was  it  merely  as  an  obligation, 
that  he  performed  this  important  duty  :  "  His 
delight  was  in  the  law  of  the  Lord ;"  and  this 
made  the  performance  of  religious  worship  a 
grateful,  not  an  irksome,  task.  "  Lord,  I  have 
loved  the  habitation  of  thy  house,  and  the  place 
where  thv  honouf  dwelleth.  How  amiable  are 
thy  tabcniacles,  O  Lord  of  Hv>sts!  I  was  glad 
when  they  said  unto  me,  let  us  go  into  the  house 
of  God, — for  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than 
a  thousand  [elsewhere.]  I  had  rather  be  a  door- 
keeper in  the  house  of  my  God,  tlian  dwell  in 
the  tents  of  wickedness." 

Although  the  Christian  dispensation  exempted 
its  professors  from  the  ceremonious  part  of  the- 
Jewish  law,  it  did  not,  by  any  means,  exempt 


them  from  the  duty  of  public  worship.     We 
have   the   examples   of  our    Saviour    and   his 
Apostles,    in  support  of   this   practice.      The 
Apostle  Paul  is  uideed  very  strenuous  in  incul- 
catmg  it:  "   I  beseech  you,  brediren,  by  the 
mercies  of  God,   that  ye  present  your  bodies  a 
living    sacrifice,   holy,    acceptable    imlo   God, 
which  is  your  reasonable  service :"  and  in  the 
Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  public  worship  is  thus 
excellently  illustrated  and  enforced:  "  Having, 
therefore,  brethren,   boldness  to  enter  into  the 
holiest,   by  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;   by  a  new  and 
livin<'  way,  which  he  hath  consecrated  for  us 
through  the  vail,  that  is  to  say,   his  tiesh  ;   and 
having   a  Hgh- Priest  over  the  House  of  God; 
let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart,  in  full  as- 
aiuance  of  faith ;— not  forsaking  the  assembling 
of  ourselves  together,  as  the  manner  of  some  is ; 
but  exhorting  one  another:   and  so  much  the 
more,  as  ye  see  the  day  approaching." 

The  Giristian  religion  has,  however,  freed 
its  professors  from  being  confined  to  particular 
places,  for  the  performance  of  religious  woi- 
ship.  Tims  our  Saviour  taught  his  disciples  : 
*'  Where  two  or  three  are  met  together  in  my 
name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them :"  and 
in  the  memorable  conversation;  which  he  held 


* 


'i 


4 


n 


OK   PUBIIC   WORSHIP,   &C. 


M'ith  the  Samaritan  woniaD>  he  showed  thkt 
public  worship  was  not  to  be  confined  to  any 
particular  place ;  for  when  she  inquired  of  him^ 
whether  Jerusalem,  or  the  mountain  of  Samaria, 
was  the  true  place  of  worship,  he  set  them, 
and,  by  consequence,  all  other  particular  places, 
aside,  as  being  exclusively  appropriated  to  this 
purpose.  "  Woman,  believe  me,  the  hour 
comethy  when  ye  shall  neither  in  this  mountain,- 
nor  yet  at  Jerusalem,  [exclusively]  worships 
the  Father.— But  the  hour  cometh,  and  now  is, 
when  the  true  worshippers  shall  worship  the 
Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth ;  for  the  Father 
seeketh  such  to  worship  him.  God  is  a  Spirit, 
and  they  that  worship  him,  must  worsliip  him' 
in  spirit  aiKl  in  truth.'^  Here  we  see  the  ful- 
filling of  the  evangelical  prophecy  :  "  In  every 
place,  incense  shall  be  offered  unto  my  name^ 
and  a  pure  offering.*' 

Though  no  place  is  exclusively  essential  ta 
the  performance  of  public  worship;  yet  some 
jplace  is  necessary  for  "  the  assembling  of  our- 
selves together;"  and  some  time  must  bej^ec*- 
liarly  appropriated  to  this  purpose.  Under  the 
Jewish  law,  and  most  probably  prior  to  that 
time,  the  seventh  day  of  the  week  was  set  apart 
for  this  service :  but  when  that  dispensation  was 
abrogated,  the  primitive  Christians  thought  pro- 


<>t(   PtJBLIO  WORSHIP,  &c. 


7jr 


per  to  alter  the  time,  from  the  seventh  to  the 
first  day  of  the  week.  Although  the  ceremonial 
part  of  the  Jewish  sabbadi,  is  not  obligatory 
tipon  Christians ;  yet  several  of  the  reasons  as- 
signed for  its  institiitioni  apply  to  us  equally 
Mrith  them.  Christians  in  all  ages  have,  there- 
fore, agreed  in  tKe  apJ)r6pfiation  of  a  seventh 
day,  or  one  day  in  the  week,  to  be  particularly 
set  apart  for  public  worship,  and  for  other 
means  of  religious  improvement;  as  also  for  a 
time  of  relaxation  and  rest  from  bodily  labour, 
to  those  who  are  subject  to  it.  This  indulgence 
was  extended,  under  the  law,  to  the  animal 
creation,  as  well  as  to  those  persons  who  wer^ 
in  a  state  of  servitude  and  bondage :  "  That 
thine  ox  and  thine  ass  may  rest ;  and  the  son  of 
thy  handmaid,  and  the  stranger,  may  be  re- 
fjreshed.'* 

The  religious  observance  of  one  day  in  the 
week,  is  of  so  much  importance  to  the  preser- 
vation of  piety  and  virtue ;  and  the  neglect  of  it 
is  so  evidently  marked  with  irrcligion,  and,  in 
general^  with  immorality,  that,  however  neces- 
sary it  is  to  avoid  the  superstitious  observance 
of  it,  which  our  Saviour  had  occasion  to  cen- 
sure, in  the  time  of  his  personal  appearance  ou 
earth;  yet  every  reasonable  consideration  coa- 


74  ON  PUBLIC  woasHiP,  8cc* 

apires  to  press  the  practice  closely  upon  U6,  &• 
aflfording  an  opportunity,  which  many  could  not 
Otherwise  easily  obtain,  of  acquiring  religious 
instruction  and  improvement;  and  of  publickly 
performing  ihat  worship,  which  is  due  unto 
«  Him  that  made  Heaven  and  Earth,  jthe  Seas, 
and  the  Eountains  of  Waters*" 

The  pious  Chrisfian  does  not,  liowever,  con- 
fine his  public  devotions  to  one  day  in  the  week. 
Sensible  of  the  obligation,  and  feeling  the  be- 
nefit, of  a  more  frequent  performance  of  thia 
religious  service,  he  embraces   opportunities, 
when  afforded  to  him,  of  attending  on  publick 
worship,  on  some  otli^r  day,  or  days,  than  that 
which  is  specially  set  apart  for  this  purpose  : 
and  although  this  may,  in  some  instances,  re- 
quire him  to  leave  his  temporal  concerns;  and 
may  seem  to  be  attended  with  some  worldly 
cUsadvantages^  yet  the  views  which  he  enter- 
tains of  religious  obligations,  induce  him  to  fol- 
low the  example  of  the  good  King  David,  when, 
on  a  certain  occasion,  he  made  use  of  this  dis- 
interested language:    "  Neither   will   I  offer 
burnt-offerings  unto  the  Lord  my  God,  of  that 
which  doth  cost  me  nothing/' 


if 


CHAPTER  IX. 

On  Obedience  and  Patience, 

After  treating  on>  the  preceding  particukr 
duties>  it  may  be  proper  to  take  notice  of  the 
general  duty  of  Obedience;  and  to  connect  with 
k  that  of  Patience.  By  Obe^ence  is  meant  the 
practical  and  active  part  of  those  duties,  which 
we  know  to  be  the  Divine  will  concerning  us. 

When  the  mind  is  impressed  with  the  belief 
•f  the  power  and  goodness  of  God,  and'broug&t 
under  the  influence  of  that  love  and  fear  which 
we  owe  to  him,  obedience  to  the  manifestations 
©f  hb  will,  becomes  the  necessary  result  of  this 
impression  and  influence.  But  as  the  operation 
of  these  principles  is  generally  slow  and  gradual, 
and  tlie  Christian  traveller  has  many  tempta- 
tions and  difticulties  to  encounter,  before  he  has 
reason  to  believe  that  "in  him- verily  is  the  love 
of  God  perfected  ?"'iti»of  importance  to  know, 
that  simple  obedience  to  the  Divine  will  is  an 
indispensable  obligation:  "To  obey  is  better 
than  sacrifice,  and  to  hearken  than  the  fat  of 
rams :  for  rebellion  b  as  the  sin  of  witchcraft, 
and  stubbornness  is  as  iniquity  and  idolatry." 

Fear  and  love  are,  however,  motives  which 
are  essential  to  true  obedience.     We  find  theia 

G  & 


^ 


70       ON   OBEDIENCE   AND  PATIENCE. 

in  the  Holy  Scriptures  used  to  excite  the  minds 
4>f  the  people  to  the  service  of  God,  and  to  an 
attention  to  his  commands,  *'  Thou  shalt  fear 
the  Lord  thy  God,  and  serve  hinu  Thou  shalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God,  anfl  keep  iiis  charge 
and  his  statutes,  and  his  judgments,  and, his 
commandments  alway.  Ye  shall  observe  to  do 
as  the  Lord  your  God  hath  commanded  you : 
ye  shall  not  turn  aside  to  the  right  hand,  or  tf> 
the  left,  that  ye  may  live,  and  that  it  may  be 
>v'ell  with  you.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hbsts> 
the  God  of  Israel :'— obey  my  voice,  and  walk 
ye  in  ail  my  Ways  that  I  have  commanded  you, 
that  it  may  be  well  unto  you/^ 


[■..      <     -_•       f*  V,  .«       A- 


i  -»■•*! 


In  the  New  Testament,  the  importance  qt 
obedience  to  the  Divine  will  and  connnands,  is 
very  strongly  enforced*  Our  .blessed  Redeemer 
manifested  how  Jittle  he  sought  the  praise  of 
men,  and  how  much  he  desired  the  glory  of  his 
Father,  and  the  real  good  of  mankind,  when 
he  gave  this  salutary  caution  to  his  hearers : 
^*  Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord! 
Lord !  shall  enter  the  kingdom ;  but  he  tha^ 
doelh  the  will  of  my  Father  who  is  in  Heaven.'* 
Again  he  saith :  "  Ye  are  my  friends,  if  ye  da 
whatsoever  I  command  you."  And  it  was  the 
observation  of  his  beloved  disciple,  "  He  thai 
doth  the  will  of  God  abideth  for  ever." 


C1J   OBEDIENCE   AND   PATIENCE.        77* 

Besides  the  particular  instructions  given  by 
the  Apostles  of  Christ,  the  general  duty  of  obe- 
dience, or  keeping  the  divine  commands,  is  thus 
enforced :  "  Not  the  hearers  of  the  law  are  just 
before  Godj  but  the  doers  of  the  law  shall  be 
justified.     Be  ye  doers-  of  the  wordj  and  not 
hearers  only,  deceiving  your  mvnselves.     This 
is  the  love  of  God,  that  we  keep  his  command- 
ments; and  his  commandments  are  not*  grievous. 
Hereby  we  do  know  him,  if  we  keep  his  com- 
mandments.    He  that  saith,  I  know  him>  and 
keepeth  not  his  commandments,  is  a  Fiafr;  and' 
the  truth  is  not  in  him.    But  whoso  keepeth  his 
word,  in^him,  verity,  is  tlie  love  of  God -per- 
fected."    When  we  consider  these  various  tes- 
timonies ta  the  importance  of  the  practical  part 
of  religion ;  in  which  is  necessarily  involved  a 
belief  of  its  doctrines,^  because  these  are  like- 
wise Divine  commands  ;  we  shall  see  the  pro- 
priety of  that  conclusion,  to  which  Solomon", 
after  all  his  researches,  was  brought:   "Fear 
God,  and  keep  his  commandments ;  for  tlvis  is 
the  whole  duty  of  man." 

Intimately  connected  with  Obedience^  is  the 
duty  of  Patience ;  by  which  is  understood  the^ 
bearing  with  fortitude  of  mind,  and  resignatioa 
to  the  Divine  will,  whatever  is  permitted  to» 

^  3 


7^        ON   OBEMENCE   AND   PATllENCE. 

befall  us  in  this  probationary  state  of  existence- 
Obedience  and  patience,  or  to  do  and  suffer  the 
whole  will  of  God,  may  be  swd  to  comprehend 
the  whole  of  those  duties  which  religion  and 
virtue   require.      Patience  therefore  holds  an- 
important  place  among  the  duties  of  a  Christian. 
His  life  is  aptly  compared  to  a  state  of  warfare,, 
in  which  he  has  not  only  much  to  do,  but  much 
to  bear.    He  must,  in  common  with  other  men, 
submit  to  many  privations  and  trials ;  and  Some- 
times his  religion  will  subject  him  to  more;  for 
which,  however,  it  affords  an  ample  compensa- 
tion.    But  as  this  compensation^  is  not  always 
immediate,  we  are  called  upon  by  our  faith,, 
oar  hope,  and  our  love  to  the  Supreme  Being, , 
without  whose  providential  attention  we  are- 
told,  not  a  hair  of  our  heads  falleth  to  the- 
ground,  to  bear,  with  holy  resignation,,  what- 
ever Ire  permits  to  befall  us ;  and,  in  conformity 
to  those  excellent  examples  which  are  trans- 
mitted to  us  in  Holy  writ,  to  say,  when  suffer- 
ings and  trials  are  our  lot:  "The  Lord  gave,  andj 
the  Lord  hath  taken  away ;  blessed  be  the  name, 
of  the  Lord.     Not  my  will^  but  thine  be  done. 
The  cup  which  my  Father  hatli  given  me,  shall 
1  not  drinV  it  r 

When  our  Lord!  was  apprizing  his  disciple^^ 
9i  the  afflictions- which  woiUd  befall  them,  he- 


k 


A' 


ON   0BE»^I^1^CE  AJIH  P^TI^l^cr,        T^N 

grave  them  thi^^  seasonabl|e  ex%i?tatiQn :   "In. 
your  patience  possess,  ye  your  souls  i"  and  it 
seems  tjiat;  this  exhof  tation  >v  as  not  in  yaii? ;  for 
we  afterwards  finc^  when  their  Lord's  predictions 
were  verified,  tljey  had  so  attendj^d  tp,  his  in- 
struction as  tp  be  al^le  to  say :  "  We  glofy  iri^ 
triji^iflationa;,  ki^\yin^  that  tribukt^on  work^eth;^ 
patience;  and. patience,  experience;  and  expe- 
rience, hope ;  and  h<>P^  "^i*!f,"^^^  °^^  ashamed,, 
because  the  love  of  God  is-  shed  abroad  in  our 
hearts,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  given  unto 
us.     l^or  wl^ich  cause  we  faint  iK)t;.  for  thouglv 
our  outward  map  perish,  yet  the  inwajd  man  is 
renewed  day  by  day:  for  oi^r  light  affliction,- 
w^hich  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a^^ 
hr  more  exceeding/and  eternal  weigl^t  of  glory ;. 
while  we  look  not  at  the  things  that  are  seerf, 
but  at  the  things  which  £vre  not,  seen ;  for  the 
things  which  are  seen,  are  temporal ;  but  tho, 
things  which  are  not  seen,  are  eternal." 


TJie  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews, 
gives  the  foUovving  instructive  exl^orfations  on. 
this  subject:  "My.  son,  despise  no,^  tl^ou  the 
chastening  of  thel/)rd,  npr  faint  when  thouart^ 
teb.uked  of .  him ;  f9r  whom  the  Lord.,loveth  he 
ehastenethj  and  scourgeth  every  soi?  whom  he, 
li^ceivetli.     We  have  had  fathers-  ot,  our  fleshsj 


.V«<' 


30^       ON    OBKDlENCrE  AND   PATIENCE. 

vho  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them  reverence^ 
shall  we  not  much  rather  bein  subjection  to  the 
Pather  of  Spirits,  and'live?  For  they,  verily,  for* 
a  few  days  chastened  us,  fbr  their  own  pleasure ; 
but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we  might  be  parta- 
kers  of  his  holiness.     Now  no  chastening,  for 
the  present,  seemeth  to  be  joyous,  but  grievous; 
nevertheless,  afterward,  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable- 
fruit  of  righteousness,  unto  them  who  are  exer- 
cised thereby.** 

The  Apostle  James,  among  other  exhorta- 
tions to  the  duty  of  Patience,  gives  the  foRow- 
ing:'"Take,  my  brethren,  the  prophets  who- 
h^ve  spoken  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  for  att- 
e^ample  of  suffering  affliction   and  patience.. 
Behold!   we  count  them  happy  who  enihire. 
Ye  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and  have 
seen  the  end  of  the  Lord;  that  he  is  very  piti-- 
fell,  and  of  tender  mercy/*^ 

As  afflktion  is  more  or  less  the  lot  of  hu- 
manity, it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  we' 
endeavour  to  have  our  minds  fortified  by  pa- 
tience,  which  may  be  called  the  strong-hold  of 
religion  and  virtue.     To  this  end,  i^  may  be^ 
beneficial^  to  us  to  consider,  how  much  we  en- 
joy,, or  may  enjoy  y  and  of  bow  littU  we  ^^ 


ON  OBEDIENCE  AND  PATIENCE.    81 

-' 

worthy.  Humijityjgjtjie  ground- work  of  pa- 
tience. It  gives  light  to  the  mind,  and  strength 
•^  to  the  heart.  "  But  if  thou  faint  (says  Solomon) 
in  the  day  of  adversity,  thy  strength  is  small.** 
JD^e  fiuipble,  fesiguefl  flwnd  knojys,  that  ^ 
;^hings  shall  work  tog^tjier  for  go^;  apd  i^ 
j^es  of  affliction  is  en^^bl^  to  say  with  tbe^ 
propji^t;  "''Although  the  fig-3tjree  ,§hall  not 
^blossom,  r^i^her  shall  fruit  be  in  tl^e  vines;  th^ 
.labour  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  apd  the  ^ejd^ 
jfhall  yield  po  vf^e^ ;  the  jflPQk^  sb,all  l?e  cut  of 
j(^-om  the  jfqWf  ,and  theife  shall  be  no  herd  in  the 
.^talls;  y^t  J  will  rejoice  in  the  Lp/d;  1  will 


X>N  .REPENTANCE,  8wC*. 


^ 


I 


CHAPTETl  X. 


'V 


€n  Repentanci  iffwards  God,  and  FaUh  ia  out  LoJ^ 

Jeaut  Chriih 

When  wc  considfer  the  number  and  extent 
of  our  duties  to  God,  on. the  one  hand;  and  the- 
depravity  and  frailty  of  human  nature,  on  the 
other ;  we  must  suppose  that  the  neglect  or 
violation  of  these  dudes  will,  at  times,  take 
place,  even  with  those  who  may  make  the  most 
early  and  regular  advances  in  the  way  of  holi- 
ness :   but  with  respect  to  the  generality  of 
mankind,  this  neglect  and  violation  are  so  preva- 
knt  and  self-evident,  Aat  any  attempt  to  de- 
ffionstrate   them   would    be   superfluous.      If 
therefore,  it  is,  as  it  ought  to  be,  a  matter  oF 
concern  to  us,  to  live  and  die  in  the  Divme  fa- 
vour, Repentance,  united  with  amendment  o^ 
^fe,  becomes  a  most  important  duty. 

The  very  first  sermons  which  were  preache(F 
both  by  our  Saviour,  and  his  forerunner,  the 
Baptist,  were  on  the  subject  of  Repentance; 
and,  in  a  few  energetic  expressions  they  en- 
forced  this  first  principle  of  the  doctrine  of 
Christ :  "  Repent,  for  the  kingdom  of  Heavea 
is  at  band.  Bring  fortli  fruits  meet  for  repent- 
3nce."     With  these  precepts  was  laid,    as  it 


^ere,.the  foundation  of  that  religion,  with  whick 
the  world  has  been  blessed  through  Jesus  Christ^ 
Repentance  was,  no  doubt,  always  a  necessary 
dfuty,  since  the  transgression  of  our  first  parents: 
but  the  gospd  dispensalion  being  more  parti- 
cularly applied  to  the  depraved  state  G(f  human 
nature,  this  first  work  of  true  religion  is  pri- 
marily inculcated.    We  also  find,  that  when  the 
disciples  went  forth  to  preach  and  to  teach, 
tliis  appears  to  have  been  the  first  and  principal 
part  of  their  mission ;  for  we  are  told  'by  one 
of  the  Evangelists,  that  "  they  went  out  and 
preached,  that  men  should  repent.**     After  the 
ascension  of  our  Lord,  and  the  pouring  forth  of 
the  Spirit  on  the  Apostles  and  Disciples,  we 
find  the  doctrhie  of  Repentance  was  preached 
4n  this  powerful  language:  «  Repent  ye,  and 
be  converted;  that  jour  sins  may  l)e  blotted 
-out,  when  the  times  of  refreshing  shall  come 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord ;  and  he  shall 
send  Jesus  Christ,  who  before,  was  preached 
>uato  you.** 

In  that  excellent  relation  of  his  gospel  la- 
bours^ which  the  Apostle  Paul  gave  to  the 
elders  of  Ephesua,  ^ve  may  perceive  that  re- 
pentance formed  a  very  prominent  part  in  the 
doctrines  which  lie  tauglrt :  "  testifying  (says 
he)  both  to  the  Jews,  and  also  to  the  Greeks, 


ff-- 


te 


0'l!r'EEf'ENTPAN'6E,  &C. 


'HI- 


nipentance'  toward  God,  aiid  faith  tbwarid  oiif^ 
Lord  JesuS  Christ." 

The  connexion  of  Repentance  with  Faith  ia 
Christ,  forms  a  peculiar  excellence  of  the  gos- 
pel dispensation,  and  to  which  it  is  of  the 
utmost  importance  to  attend.  How  consoling 
is  this  consideration! ''  If  any  man  sin,  we  have 
an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the 
righteous:  and  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our 
sins;  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  for  the  sins  of 
the  whole  world."  Numerous  are  the  testi- 
monies in  holy  writ  to  this  gracious  design  of 
our  merciful  Redeemer.  The  evangelical  pro- 
phet strongly  and  clearly  speaks  of  it:  "  He 
was  wounded  for  our  transgrc«ions ;  the  chastise- 
ment of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and  with  his 
stripes  are  we  healed.  All  we,  like  sheep,  have 
gone  astray;   we  have  turned  every  one  to  his 

'  I  •4-4.-  ,,■  ...         .,  .  '•» 

own  way;  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the 
iniquity  of  us  all.*'  Thiis  passage  was  openecf  to 
the  Ethio jpian  Fliinuc*K,  and  applied  to  Christy 
hy  Philip  the  Evangelist. 

Tlie  doctrine  of  Faitli  in  Christ,  as  the'mc^^hs 
of  reconciliatidtt'with'^Gbd,  is  fotebiy  inciil-"* 
cat^d  in  thfe  wFitirtgS  of  the  Apostles.  To  re-' 
peat  all  diat  they  say  on  this  subject,  would  be" 
to  transcribe  a  large  portion  of  their  Epistles*^' 
We  are' told  by  our  Saviour  himself,  when  soaie  * 


ON  REPENTANCE,  &C. 


85 


inquired  of  him,  "  What  shall  We  do,  that  we 
may  work  the  works  of  God  ?  This  is  the 
work  of  God,  that  ye  believe  on  him,  whom 
Cod  hath  sent."  Hie  importance  of  this  be- 
lief, or  faith,  is  thus  inculcated  by  the  Apostle 
Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Romans:  "  Now 
the  righteousness  of  God,  without  the  law,  is 
manifested,  being  witnessed  by  the  law  and  the 
prophets ;  even  the  righteousness  of  God,  which 
is  hy  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  unto  all,  and  upon 
all  them  that  believe,  (for  there  is  no  difference ; 
fbr  all  have  sinned  and  fallen  short  of  the  glory 
of  God,)  being  justified  freely  by  his  grace, 
through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus ; 
whom  God  hath  set  forth,  to  be  a  propitiation, 
through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  bis  rigtite- 
ousness  for  the  remisi^on  of  sins  diat  are  past, 


y> 


tlirough  the  forbearance  of  God. 


The  Author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews, 
largely  exemplities  the  doctrine  of  Christian 
redemption.  The  eighth,  ninth,  and  tenth  chap- 
ters are  particularly  forcible  and  interesting,  in 
the  manner  in  which  this  subject  is  treated;  and 
it  will  be  proper  to  recite,  in  this  place,  some 
of  the  pertifient  exhortations  and  observations 
with  which  he  closes  the  subject:  "  Having, 
therefore,  brethren,  boldness  to  enter  into  the 
Holiest  by  the  bleod  of  Jesus^  bj  a  new  an<|' 

H 


I  ■ 


i^i 


V*"l 


96 


ON    REPENTANCE,   &€♦ 


living  way,  which  he  has  consecrated  for  us 
through  the  vail,  that  is  to  say,  his  flesh ;  and 
having  a  High- Priest  over  the  House  of  God; 
let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart,  in  full  as- 
surance of  faivh.  He  that  despised  Moses'  law,, 
died  without  mercy,  under  two  or  three  wit- 
nesses; of  how  much  sorer  punishment,  suppose 
ye,  shall  he  be  thought  worthy,  who  hath  trod- 
den under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  and  hath  counted 
the  blood  of  the  cavenant  wherewith  he  was 
sanctified,  an. unholy  thjuig,  and  done  despite  to 
the  spirit  of  grace  ?  for  we  know  him  who  hath 
said;  Vengeance  belongeth  unto  me;  I  will 
recompense,  saith  the  Lord:  and  again,  the 
Lord  shall  judge  his  people.  It  is  a  fearful 
thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God/' 

Seeing  then,  that  our  duty  and  interest  are 
both  intimately  connected  with  our  possessing 
faith  in  Christ;  let  us  embrace  it  with  full  pur- 
pose of  heart,  and  "  hold  fast  the  profession  of 
it  without  wavering."  Yet  let  us  not  forget,  that 
"  faith  without  works  is  dead,  being  alone ;  and 
that  we  ought,  therefore,  to  "  add  to  our  faith, 
virtue ;"  and  to  jiold  it  in  conjunction  with  "  a 
good  conscience :"  thus  may  we  entertain  a  well 
grounded  hope,  that,  when  this  probationary 
state  shall  terminate,  we  shall  "  receive  the  end 
of  our  faith,  even  the  salvation  of  our  souls." 


pjut  itl 

MORAL  DUTIES. 

CLASS   I.      GENERAL   DUTIES, 
CLASS    II.       PARTICULAR    ©UTIl^ 

GENERAL  DUTIES^ 
CHAPTER  L 

Justice. ' 

Justice  is  a  duty  of  great  importance  and 
extent :  it  consists  in  giving  to  all  persons  their 
respective  rights;  and  in  exercising  that  veracity 
and  uprightness  in  all  our  actions  and  words 
which  inspire  mutual  confidence.  This  may  be 
considered  as  a  fundamental  virtue ;  for  without 
it  social  life  loses  its  connexions  and  its  com- 
forts; and  indeed  can  scarcely  be  said  to  exist. 
Without  Justice  all  the  other  virtues,  and  par- 
ticularly those  of  the  benevolent  kind,  are  little, 
if  ataH,  better  than  hypocrisy.  It  is  a  virtue 
which  even  the  Heathens  strongly  inculcated; 
and  in  a  manner  which  certainly  does  tlient 
credit."*  In  the  Holy  Scriptures,  this  virtue 
possesses  a  very  important  place ;  and  is  recom* 
•  See  io  particular  Tully's  Offices-. 

He 


#■ 


^8 


JUSTICE. 


JUSTICE. 


86 


I 


mended  in  a  strong  and  prominent  manner,  fn 
the  sixth  chapter  of  Micah,  Justice  stands  first 
in  that  brief,  but  comprehensive  summary  of 
duties,  with  which  the  Prophet's  inquiries  are 
answered :  "  He  hath  showed  thee,  O  man ! 
what  is  good;  and  what  doth  the  Lord  require 
of  thee,  but  to  do  justly,  and  to  love  mercy, 
and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God."  Our  blessed 
Lord,  in  a  few  words,  at  once  lays  down  the 
rule  for  this  duty,  and  recommends  the  practice 
of  it.  "  All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that 
men  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them; 
ior  this  is  the  law  and  tlie  prophets/* 

In  treating  on  this  subject,  it  may  be  propei^ 
to  divide  it  into  three  heads ;  viz.  Honesty,, 
Veracity,  and  Sincerity ."f 

Honesty  is  intended  to  apply  to  our  conduct,, 
in  those  transactions  which  relate  to  property ; 
which,  in  civilized  life,  and  particularly  in  com- 
mercial nations,  is  a  very  important  duty.  Nor 
is  it  only  a  duty;  our  interest  is  also  involved 
in  it.  "  Honesty  is  the  best  policy,"  is  a  pro- 
verbial truth  which  has  stood,  and  will  standi 
the  test  of  ages. 

"  Thou  shalt  not  steal,"  is  one  of  the  Ten 
Commandments,    delivered    by   the   Almighty 

t  For  tha»  part  of  Justice  which  relates  to  the  duties  of 
Magistiaitja,  see  tUe  chapter  on  Magistrates  aud  Subjects. 


Kmself,  for  directing  the  conduct  of  his  chosen 
people.  This  obligation  was  frequently  incul- 
cated and  extended  by  the  Jewish  Legislator. 
"  Ye  shall  not  steal,  neither  deal  falsely,  neither 
lie  one  to  another."^  Again,  "  Tliou  shalt  not 
defraud  thy  neighbour,  neither  rob  him.  Ye 
shall  do  no  unrighteousness  in  meteyard,  in 
weight,  or  in  measure,  neither  deal  falsely: 
False  balances  are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord; 
but  a  just  weight  is  his  delight.  Have  we  not 
all  one  Father?  Hath  not  one  God  created  us? 
Why  do  we  deal' treacherously  every  man  against 
his  brodier  ?"  Thus  forcibly  does  the  Old  Tes- 
tament incnlcate  Honesty  among  men:  and  in 
the  New  Testament  the  same  obligation  is 
equally,  though  perhaps  not  so  frequently,  en- 
joined: "  Let  him  that  stole  steal  no  more;  but 
rather  let  him  labour,  working  with  his  hands 
the  thing  that  is  good.  Let  no  man  defraud  his 
brother  in  any  matter,  becaose  the"  Lord  is  ih 
avenger  of  all  such."  Above  all,  let  usremembc 
this  important  truth,  that  "  neither  thieves  ng 
extortioners  shaH  inh^it  the  kingdom  of  God.' 

Honesty  in  our  actions  can  scarcely  exist 
without  veracity  in  our  words.  The  advantages 
which  arise  to  society  and  to  individuals,  from 
speaking  the  t*:iith,  and  from  punctuality  in  all- 

H  :)  - 


m 


ir 


90 


JUSTICE. 


JrSTICE. 


91 


^ 


'1 


our  promises  and  engagements,  are  not  easily 
calculated  ;  and  it  is  to  be  lamented  that  raen^ 
who  would  be  considered  as  moral  characters, 
and  who,  perhaps,  would  resent  the  charge  of 
a  lie  with  the  challenge  of  a  duel ;  that  such  a» 
these  should  pay  little  attention  to  this  indis- 
pensable moral  obligation.      Falsehood  is  an 
evil  which  pervades  almost  all  classes  of  society^ 
to  a  degree  that  is  really  affecting.     That  suclv 
nn  evil  should  so  much  prevail  in  a  Christian 
country,  whose  religious  code  is  so  express  anA 
unequivocal  in  condemning  it,  is  indeed  a  sub- 
ject of  astonishment,  as  well  as  of  sorrow.    To 
enumerate  all  the  passages  in  Scripture,  which 
apply  to  this  subject,  may  not  be  necessary  : 
the  few  following  ones  sufficiently  indicate  the 
view,  in  which  the  vice  of  lying  was  held  by  the 
Inspirer  of  the  sacred  penmen :  "  Thou  shalt 
not  bear  false  witness.     Lying  lips  are  an  abo- 
mination  to  the  Lord ;  but  they  that  deal  truly 
arc  his  delight.     The  getting  of  treasures  by  a 
lying  tongue,  is  a  vanity  tossed  to  and  fro  of  diem 
tiiat  seek  death.    Lie  not  one  to  another,  seeing 
ye  have  put  off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds.    Put 
away  lying,  and  speak  every  man  truUi  to  his 
neighbour."    These  are  strong  and  clear  injunc- 
teom;  and  when  we  add  to  them  the  solemn  de- 
claration of  the  final  state  of  tlus  class  of  sinner*;, 


how  awful  is  the  consideration !  "  All  liars  shall 
have  their  part  in  the  lake  which  burneth  with 
fire  and  brimstone  ;  which  is  the  second  death." 

Men  sometimes  think  themselves  honest  in 
their  actions,  and  true  in  their  words,  who  yet 
ftre  deficient  in  real  sincerity  and  uprightness. 
Our  holy  religion,  however,  requires  us  to  "  lay 
aside  all  guile  and  hypocrisies,  and  all  evil 
speaking."  We  are  told,  that  the  Lord  loveth  the^ 
upright.  "  Thou,  most  npright,  dost  weigh  the 
path  of  the  just."  It  was  a  consoling  reflec- 
ikon  of  the  primitive  believers  it\  Christ,  when 
they  could  say  :  "  Our  rejoicing  is  this,  the 
testimony  of  our  conscience,  that  in  simplicity 
and  godly  sincerity  ;  not  with  fleshly  wisdom, 
but  by  the  grace  of  God  ;  we  have  had  our 
conversation  in  the  world."  How  desnable  a 
rirtuc  is  true  sincerity  !  But  the  deceiver  and 
the  hypocrite  are  hateful  both  to  God  and  man. 
"  The  hope  of  the  hypocrite  shall  perish."  His 
hope,  both  here  and  hereafter,  faiieth  him :  and 
in  that  awful  day,  when  final  judgment  will  be 
J)assed  upon  mankind,  not  only  "  the  sinners  in 
Zion  shall  be  afraid ;  but  fearfulness  will  sur- 
prise tlie  bypocritCr"^ 


4 


CHAPTER  ir. 


,ii 


Lcfve  or  Charity. 

IjOVE    to    our   fellow-creatures  is   a  duty^ 
^hich  is  inculcated,  both  in  the  Jewish  and  the 
Christian  dispensations;     "Thou  shalt  love  thy 
neighbour  as  thyself,"  is  a  precept  that  is  found 
in  both  Testaments  ;  but  it  is  in  the  New  Tes-' 
tament  that  this  duty  is  most  particularly  en- 
forced ;  and  is  extended  beyond  all  former  ex- 
ample.   It  is  indeed,  as  has  been  already  shown 
the  basis  of  all  those  duties  which  we  owe  one 
another :  and  where  tliis  principle  prevails  ia 
the  heart,  other  moral. precepts  are,  in  a  great 
mtasure,  superseded.     "  Love  worketh  no  ill 
to  his  neighbour ;  therefore  Love  is  the  fulfil- 
ling of  the  law."     Again,  "  Love  one  anothe^ 
with  a  pure  heart  fervently."    Here  is  an  essen-» 
tial  circumstance  attached  to  thb  virtue ;  a  pure 
heart.     The  heart  of  man,  in  its  natural  and 
corrupt  state,  either  rejects  this  Divine  princi-» 
pie  of  action,  or  mixes  with  it  so  much  of  it* 
own  corruption,  as  to  produce  a  false  or  mis-« 
taken  charity,  which  is  frequently  destructive 
of  those  virtues  that  true  Love   is  intended  to 
promote.    But  it  must  by  no  meaus  be  rejected, 
because  it  is  abused.  When  our  love  one  to  ano- 
ther proceeds  fronv^and  is  united  with^  the  lovev 


\ 


LOVE   OK   CHARITY. 


i9d 


which  we  owe  to  the  Divine  Being,  it  fornfi% 
without  exception,  the  brightest  jewel  in  the 
crown  of  a  Christian.  The  description  which 
the  Apostle  Paul  gives  of  it,  has  already  beea 
cited  ;  and  so  much  said  on  the  Mibject  in  g«r 
neral,  that  it  may  now  be  sufficient  to  treat  on 
its  effects ;  or  tkose  particular  yirtiiea  whidt 
result  from  it. 


m 


1.  Mercy  and  Compassion  maybe  con- 
udered  as  the  fir«t  fruits  of  love.  The  former 
is  a  duty  which  applies  principally  to  the  coi>- 
duct  of  superiors  towards  inferiors,  whilst  the 
latter  extends  equally  to  all  the  relations  of 
life,  when  in  a  state  of  affliction  or  trial. 
These  duties  are  forcibly  enjoined  upon  us  in 
Holy  Writ  :  «  Thus  speaketh  the  Lord  of 
Hosts  :  Show  mercy  and  compas8ion  every 
man  to  his  brother ;  and  oppress  not  the  widow, 
nor  the  fatherless,  nor  the  strangers,  nor  the 
poor ;  and  let  none  of  you  imagine  evil  against 
his  brother  in  your  heait.  Be  ye  merciful  as 
your  father  also  is  merciful.  Be  ye  all  of  one 
mind,  having  compassion  one  oi  another;  love 
as  brethren,  be  pitiful,  be  courteous.  Pure 
religion  and  undefiled  before  God  and  the  Fa- 
ther, is  this,  to  visit  the  fatherless  and  widows 
19  their  aiEWtion;  and  to  keep  himself   uxir 


94 


roVE   OR   CHARtTt. 


spotted  from  the  world.  Rejoice  with  thieflr 
that  do  rejoice,  and  weep  with  them  that  weep.'* 
Thus  do  the  Holy  Scriptures  inculcate  these" 
amiable  virtues ;  and  indeed  they  are  virtues, 
'which  from  various  considerations,  it  highly  be- 
comes us  to  exercise  towards  each  other.  Let 
us  ever  bear  in  mind  this  desirable  benedic- 
tion :  "  Blessed  are  the  merciful ;  for  they  shaH 
obtain  mercy." 


P    ♦ 


w 


£.  The  virtues  on  which  we  have  just-  been 
treating,  are  nearly  allied  to  that  Candour  ill 
judging  one  another,  which  forms  a  very  pro^ 
minent  part  in  the  Christian  religion .^^  It  is 
what  is  frequently  distinguished,  ia  common 
conversation,  by  thename  of  Charity  ;  but  pro- 
perly speaking,  it  is  onJy  one  of  the  fruits  of 
what  is  called  Charity  in  the  Striptures.  It 
is,  however,  a  fruit  of  no  small  importance, 
which  we  should  all  b6  found  producing  in 
our  conduct:  and  when  it  is  considered,  how 
quickly  we  can  all  feel,  when  we  are  treated 
without  candour,  or  charity,  it  seems  peculiarly 
proper,  that  all  should  give  what  all  are  desi- 
rous- to  receive.  How  forcible  and  argumenta- 
tive is  the  commandment  of  our  blessed  Lord, 
on  this  subject :  "  Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not. 
ji^dged  ;  for  with  what  judgment  ye  judge,  ye 


LOVE   OB    CHAHITV* 


9i 


ahall  be  judged;  and  with  what  measure  ye 
mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to  you  again.  And 
why  beholdest  thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy  bro- 
ther's eye,  but  considerest  not  the  beam  which 
is  in  thy  own  eye  ?  Thou  hypocrite,  fir^t  cast' 
the  beam  out  of  thy  own  eye ;  aud  then  shalt 
thou  see  clearly  to  cast  out  the  mote  out  of 
thy  brother's  eye." 

It  is  indeed,  atFecting  to  observe,  with  what 
keenness  and  asperity  persons  often  censure 
the  failings  of  others,  with  whose  faults,  if  a 
fair  comparison  were  made,  their  own  would 
appear  as  the i>eam  to  the  mote ;  and  it  may 
be  not  unfrequently  observed,  how  freely  some 
persons  censure  failings  or  vices  in  others,  to 
which  they  themselves  are  peculiary  j)rone. 

The  Apostle  Paul  makes  some  excellent  ob- 
servations in  his  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  on  the 
failing  of  whicli  we  are  now  treating:  "  Who 
art  thou  that  judgest  another  man's  servant? 
To  his  own  master  he  standeth  or  falleth.  VVhy 
dost  thou  judge  thy  brother  ?  or  why  dost  thou 
Set  at  nought  thy  brother?  for  we  shall  all  stand 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ.  So  then 
every  one  of  us  shall  give  account  of  himself 
to  God ;  let  us  jjot  therefore  judge  one  ano- 
ther any  more."     Thus  does  the  Christian  reli- 


m 


9S 


LOVB   OS   CHiRlTT. 


gicn  recommended  liberality  of  sentiment,  whilst 
it  guards  agAinst  having  fellowship  with  the  un- 
fruitful works  of  darkness,  and  even  commands 
to  reprove  them.    It  is,  indeed,  necessary,  whilst 
we  cherish  those  tender  dispositions  of  mmd,  to 
take  heed,   that  we   "  touch  not  the  unclean 
thing;  nor  give  encouragement  to  others,  in 
principles  or   practices  inconsistent  with  the 
pure  gospel  of  Christ."     In  these  cases,  it  is 
proper  to  attend  to  this  precept:  "  Come  out 
-from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith  the 
Lord  ;   and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing,  and 
I  will  receive  you ;  I  will  be  a  failier  unto  you, 
and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the 
Lord  Almighty."    But  even,  when  an  attention 
to  this  precept  is  necessary,  we  ought  not  to 
forget  another  command :  *'  Let  all  your  tlungs 
"be  done  with  Chanty. 

The  following  observations  on  the  subject  of 
Candour,  by  a  late  writer,*  are  at  once,  so  just 
and  liberal,  that  it  is  apprehended  they  may  be 
suitably  introduced  here  :  "  True  candour  is 
altogether  different  from  that  guarded,  inoffen- 
sive language,  and  that  studied  openness  of  be-t 
haviour,  which  we  so  frequently  meet  with 
among  men  of  tlie  world.— Smiling,  very  often, 
is  the  aspecf,  and  smooth  are  the  words,  of  those 

»  Dr.  Blair. 


XcOVE   OR   CHARITY. 


m 


M^Ijo  inwardly  are  tlie  most  ready  to  think  evil 
-of  others.  That  Candour  which  is  a  Christian 
virtue,  consists  not  in  fairness  of  speech,  but  in 
fairness  of  heart.  It  may  want  the  blandish- 
ment of  external  courtesy,  but  supplies  its 
place  with  humane,  and  generous  liberality  of 
sentiment.  Its  manners  are  unaffected,  and  its 
professions  cordial.  Exempt,  on  the  one  hand, 
from  the  dark  jealousy  of  a  suspicious  mind,  it 
is  no  less  removed,  on  the  other,  from  that  easy 
credulity  which  is  imposed  on  by  every  specious 
pretence.  It  is  perfectly  consistent  with  exten- 
sive knowledge  of  the  world,  aiwl  wilh^ue  at- 
tention to  our  own  safety.  In  that  various 
intercourse,  wiiich  we  are  obliged  to  cari7  on 
with  persons  of  every  different  character,  suspi- 
cion, to  a  certain  degree,  is  a  necessary  guard. 
It  is  only  when  it  exceeds  the  bounds  of  pru- 
dent caution,  that  it  degenerates  into  vice. 
Tliere  is  a  proper  mean  betw  een  undislingulsh- 
iug  credulity  and  universal  jealousy,  which  « 
sound  understanding  discerns,  and  which  th^ 
Man  of  Candour  studios  to  preserve." 


"  He  makes  allowance  for  the  mixture  of  evil 
Avith  good,  w  hich  is  to  be  found  in  every  human 
character.  Under  the  influence  of  personal  re- 
sentment, he  can  be  just  t<»  the  merit  of  aii 

1 


•»J 


1 


D8 


iOVE    OR   CTiAillTT' 


ir 


enemy.     He  never  lends  an  open  ear  to  those 
defamatory'  reports,  and  dark  suggestions,  which, 
among  the  tribes  of  the  censorious,  circulate  with 
50  much  rapidity,  and  meet  with  such  ready  ac- 
ceptance.   As  long  as  an  action  ;can  .be  ascribed 
to  different  motives,  he  holds  it  as  no  mark  of 
sagacity  to  impute  it  always  to  the  worst.  When 
he  must  condemn,  he  condemns  with  regret ; 
and  without  those  aggravations  which  the  se- 
verity of  others  adds  to  the  crime.     He  listens 
calmly  to  the  apology  of  the  offender,  and  rea- 
dily  admits   .every  ^xteiwat'uig    circumstance 
which  equity  can  suggest.     How  much  soever 
he  may  blame  the  principles  of  any  sect  or 
party,  he  never  confounds  under  one  general 
censure,   all  who  belong  to  that  party.     He 
charges  thetm  not  with  such  consequences  of 
their  tenets  as  they  refuse  or  disavow.    He  com- 
miserates human  frailty ;  and  judges  of  others 
according  to  the  principles  by  which  he  would 
Ihink  it  reasonable  that  they  should  judge  of 
him.     In  a  word,  he  views  men  and  actions  in 
the  clear  sunshine  of  charity  and  good-nature ; 
.  and  not  in  that  dark  and  sullen  shade  which 
jealousy  and  p.»rty  spirit  throw  over  all  dia- 
racters." 

But  it  is  not  only  in  our  s^timents  and  re- 
marks on  each  other,  that  candour  and  liberality 


lOVE    OR    CHARITY. 


m 


©f  mind  manifest  themselves ;  they  also  produce 
a  <renerosity  of  conduct  in  the  different  trans^ 
actions  and  relatione  which  occiu*  between  man 
and  man.     Of  this  we  have  a  striking  example 
in  the  conduct  of  Abram  towards  his  kinsman 
Lot,  at  a  time  when  the  land  was  not  sufficient 
for  their  mutual  accommodation,  and  a  strife 
arose  between  their  herdmen  on  this  account. 
Then  it  was  that  "  Abrani  said  unto  Lot,  let 
there  be  no  strife,  I  pray  thee,  between  me  and' 
thee,  nor  between  my  herdmen  and  thy  herd- 
men  ;  for  we  be  brethren.     Is  not  the  whole 
land  before  thee  ?  Separate  thyself,  I  pray  thee, 
from  me:  If  thou  wilt  take  the  left  hand,  then 
1  will  go  to  the  right;  or  if  thou  depart  to  the 
right  hand,  then  I  will  go  to  the  left."     How 
amiable,  how  liberal,  how  replete  with  brotherly 
kindness,  was  the  conduct  of  Abram  on  this 
occasion !  Were  a  similar  disposition  cherislied 
under  similar  circumstances,  how  would  it  lessen 
the   feuds   and  (hscords  which  arise  amongst 
men!  and  how  would  peace  and  harmony  exist, 
where  envying  and  strife,  with  their  long  train 
of  malevolent  attendants,  predominate,  to  the 
disgrace  of  human  nature,  and  of  that  holy  re- 
ligion,   of    which   many   who    practise   these 
tilings  are  mak^g  profession  !   But  whatever 
reflections  may  be  cast  on  Christianity  from  tlKV 

I  a 


*. 


I: 

r 


m 


iOO 


LOVE    OB   CHARITY. 


4* 


n'^ 


existence  of  these  evils  among  its  professors, 
this  religion  is  perfectly  clear  of  them.  The 
precepts  of  its  Divine  Author,  and  of  its  early 
promulgators,  supported  by  their  examples,  bear 
^  uniform  testimony  against  that  narrow  selfish 
policy,  ^^hich  so  much  prevails  among  those 
who  are  called  Christians,  and  which  is  in  direct 
violation  of  these  ApostoHc  injunctions  :  *'  Let 
all  your  things  be  done  with  charity.  By  love 
serve  one  another;  for  all  the  law  is  fulfilled  inu 
one  word,  even  in  this,  thou  shalt  love  thy 
neighbour  as  thyself.  But  if  ye  bite  and  devour 
one  another,  take  heed  that  ye  be  not  consumed; 
one  of  another." 

3.  Almsgiving  or  administering  to  the  wants 
of  the  poor,  is  another  of  the  effects  of  that  love 
which  we  owe  to  each  other.  It  is  a  duty,, 
which,  among  Christians,  is  universally  acknow- 
ledged, as  being  incumbent  on  those  wliom 
Providence  has  blessed  with  circumstances 
adapted  to  it ;  yet  it  appears  not  to  have  much 
cn«^a«^ed  the  attention  of  heathen  moralists. 
The  Bible,  however,  contains  so  many  advices 
and  directions  on  this  head,  as  must  tend  to 
exalt  the  religion  which  it  recommends,  in  the 
view  of  every  impartial  observer.  The  Mosaic 
law  gives  several  excellent  precepts  on  this  sub- 


to  VE  OR  CHARITY. 


vol 


ject,  of  which  it  may  be  sufficient  to  recite  the 
following  :  "  If  there  be  among  you  a  poor 
man  of  one  of  thy  brethren,  within  any  of  thy 
gates  in  thy  land,  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
giveth  thee,  thou  shalt  not  harden  thy  heart, 
nor  shut  thy  hand  from  thy  poor  brother.  Thou 
shalt  surely  give  him ;  and  thy  heart  shall  not 
be  grieved  when  thou  givest  unto  him,  because 
that  for  this  thing  the  Lord  thy  God  shall  bless 
thee  in  all  thy  works,  and  in  all  that  thou  put- 
test  thy  hand  unto:  /or  the  poor  shall  never 
cease  out  of  the  land;  therefore  I  command 
thee,  saying,  thou  shalt  open  thy  hand  wide  unto 
thy  brother,  to  thy  poor,  and  to  thy  needy,  iu 
thy  land."  How  full,  how  liberal,  how  pro- 
motive of  the  benevolent  affections,  is  this 
Divine  command !  - 


It  seems  to  have  afforded  Job  no  small  con- 
solation in  his  afflictions,  that  he  had,  when  iu 
prosperity,  carefully  attended  to  the  state  of  the 
poor.  The  forcible  language  iu  which  he  re- 
pels the  insinuations  of  his  mistaken  friends, 
shows  the  high  estimation  in  which  he  held  this 
virtue :  "  If  I  have  withheld  the  poor  from  their 
desire,  or  have  caused  the  eyes  of  the  widow  to 
fail;  or  have  eaten  my  morsel  myself  alone, 
2Bwl  the  fatherless  hath  not  eaten  thereof ;  (for 

1  3 


loa 


tOVE   eR   CHARITY. 


m 


from  my  youth  he  was  brought  up  with  me  as 
with  a  father,  and  I  have  guided  her  from  my 
mother's  womb ;)  if  I  have  seen  any  perish  for 
want  of  clothing,  or  any  poor  without  covering ; 
if  his  loins  have  not  blessed  me,  and  if  he  were 
not  warmed  with  the  fleece  of  my  sheep;  if  I 
have  lifted  up  my  hand  against  the  fatherless 
when  I  saw  my  help  in  the  gate ;  then  let  my 
arm  fall  from  my  shoulder  blade,  and  my  arm 
be  broken  from  the  bone ;  for  destruction  from 
God  was  a  terror  to  me,  and  by  reason  of  his 
hichness  I  could  not  endure."     In  the  book  of 
Psalms,  we  find  great  importance  attached  to 
this  duty :  "  Blessed  is  he  that  cpnsidereth  the 
poor,  the  Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trou- 
ble.    Tlie  Lord  will  strengthen  him  upon  the 
bed  of  languishing ;.  tliou  wilt  make  all  his  bed 
in   his  sickness."     Solomon  also,   among  his 
many  wise  proverbs,    strongly  inculcates  tliis 
benevolent  virtue ;  "  He  that  oppresseth  the 
poor  reproacheth  his  Maker;  but  he  that  ho*- 
noureth  Him  hath  mercy  on  the  poor.     He 
that  halh  a  bountiful  eye  shall  be  blessed ;  for 
he  giveth  of  his  bread  to  the  poor.   He  that  hath, 
pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth  unto  the  Lord ;  and 
that  which  he  hath  given,  \\ilLhe  pay  him  again.** 

The  neglect  of  this  duty  formed  a  frequent 
subject  of  complaint  agianst  the  Jews;  by  the 


I 


LOVE   OR   CHARITY. 


103 


prophets  who  were  sent  unto  them.     Isaiah,  in 
expostulating  with  that  people,  for  the  insincere 
manner  in  which  they  observed  their  religious 
fasts,  shows  them  what  are  the  essential  atten- 
dants of  a  true  fast ;  among  which  he  points 
oat  the  discharge  of  the  duty  on  which  we  are 
now  treating :  **  Is  it  not  to  dea!  thy  bread  to  the 
hungry,  and  that  thoa  bring  the  poor  that  are 
cast  out,  into  thy  house  ?  when  thou  seest  the 
naked,  that  thou  cover  him,  and  that  tliOu  hide 
not  thyself  from  thy  own  flesh."     And  a  little 
after  he  says:  "  If  thou  take  away  from  the 
midst  of  thee  the  yoke,  the  putting  forth  of  the 
finger,  and  speaking  vanity ;  and  if  thou  draw 
out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry,   and  satisfy  the  af- 
flicted soul ;  then  shall  thy  light  rise  in  obscurity,, 
and  thy  darkness  be  as  the  noon-day." 


Yii 


It  seems  that  the  Jews,  after  the  captivity, 
and  their  restoration  to  their  owff  land,  had  so 
fiir  attended  to  the  remonstrances  and  instruc- 
tion of  their  prophets,  that  almsgiving  was  be- 
come a  popular  virtue :  yet  it  2(ppears  that  many 
performed  it  in  such  a  manner  as  to  indicate 
that  their  motive  was  not  pure  benevolence: 
but  that  they  wefie  seeking  the  praise  of  men, 
and  preferring  it  to  the  praise  of  God.  Thus 
we  find  that  the  first  notice  which  our  blessed 


<■' 

I 


\ 


}04 


LOVE    OR   CHAHITT. 


=t 


Lord  takes  of  this  duty,  was,  to  caution  those 
who  were  in  the  practice  of  it,  against  that  vain- 
glorious disposition  with  which  they  dispensed 
their  alms:  "  Take  heed  that  ye  do  not  your 
alms  before  men,  to  be  seen  of  diem/'  Here 
it  should  be  observed,  that  the  prohibition  h 
not  absolute  against  performing  charitable  ac- 
tions, so  that  tliey  will  be  publickly  known;  for 
this,  in  some  cases,  is  not  only  unavoidable,  but 
may  be  also  proper,  in  order  to  let  our  light* 
shine  before  men,  and  oui«  examples  become 
beneficial  to  others;  but  the  prohibition  lies 
against  die  motive,  "  that  they  may  be  seen  of 
men ;"  for  where  this  disposition  prevails,  the 
consequence  is  serious  and  lamentable :  "  Ye 
h^veno  reward  of  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven/' 

But  whilst  our  Saviour  gave  this  salutary 
caution,  with  respect  to  the  performance  of 
acts  of  charity,  he  was  not  negligent  in  pro- 
moting an  attention  to  this  duty.  He  alludes 
to  it  on  various  occasions,  besides  giving  these 
positive  injunctions:  "  Give  alms  of  such  things 
as  ve  have.  When  thou  makest  a  feast,  call  the 
poor,  the  maimed,  the  lame,  and  the  blind." 
Tluis  did  our  Lord  inculcate  a  regard  for  tlie 
poor  and  the  distressed,  whilst  he  checked  that 
ostentatious  di.sposition;  which  seems  to  have 


{ 


LOVE    OR    CHARITY. 


1-0^ 


been,  at  least,  as  prevalent  at  tliat  day,  as  at 
the  present  time." 

The  apostles  seldom  omitted  inculcating  thia 
virtue,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  in  their 
epistles  to  the  early  Christians :  '*  To  do  good 
and  to  communicate,  foi^et  not  -,.  for  with  such 
sacrifices  God  is  well  pleased.  He  who  sowetb 
sparingly,  sliall  reap  also  sparingly ;  and  he  who 
soweth  bountifully,  shall  reap  also  bountifully* 
Every  man,  as  he  hath  purposed  in  his  heart, 
so  let  him  give,  not  gmdgingly,  or  of  necessity  j 
for  God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.  If  a  brother 
er  a  sister  be  naked  and  destitute  of  daily  food ; 
and  one  of  you  say  unto  him,  Depart  in  peace, 
be  warmed  and  tilled ;  notwithstanding  ye  give 
them  not  those  things  which  are  needful  to  the 
body;  what  doth  it  profit?  Whoso  hath  this 
world's  good,  and  seeth  his  brother  have  need, 
and  shutteth  his  bowels  of  compassion  from 
him,  how  dvvelleth  the  love  of  God  in  him  ?" 

We  shall  conclude  this  subject  with  the  fol- 
lowing direction  of  the  Apostle  Paul  to  Timo- 
thy :  "  Charge  them  that  are  rich  in  this  world, 
that  they  be  not  high-minded,  nor  trust  in  un- 
certain riches,  but  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth 
us  richly  all  tilings  to  enjoy ;  that  they  do  good, 


m 


106 


LOVE   OR   CHARITT. 


HOVE    OR   CHARITV. 


107 


»r 


that  they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready  to  distri- 
bute, willing  to  communicate,  laying  up  in  store 
for  themselves  a  good  foundation  against  the  time 
to  come,  that  they  may  lay  hold  on  eternal  life.' 

4.  Peaceableness  is  another  disposition 
which  flows  from  that  principle  of  Love,  which 
the   Christian   religion    enjoins.      ITie   enjoy- 
ment  of   secret  peace   is  not  the  only  fruit 
of  righteousness;   it  also   produces  a  peace- 
able disposition  of  mind  and  conduct  toward? 
others :  "  The  fruit  of  righteousness  is  sown  ia 
peace  of  them  that  make  peace,"   We  find  that 
this   subject   formed  a  material  part  of  that 
angelic  song,  with  which  the  gospel  of  Christ 
was  introduced  into  the.  world:  '*  Glory  to  God 
in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will 
unto  men."     Consistently  with  this  language, 
our    blessed   Redeemer   frequently   inculcated 
dispositions  of  mind,  which  tend  to  promote 
those  great  and  important  objects.    In  his  most 
excellent  sermon   on  the  Mount,   the  peace- 
makers are  particularly  marked  with  his  Divine 
benediction:  "  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers v 
for  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God." 
Indeed  every  virtue,  recommended  in  the  beati- 
tudes, tends  to  promote  "  Peace  on  earth,  and 
good  will  to  men."     If  our  Lord  has  said,  "  I 
dm  not  come  to  send  peace  on  eartli,  but  a 


«word;"  it  was  not  because  his  holy  religion 
.was  incompatible  with  peace;  but  because  he 
foresaw^  the  violence  and  persecution  which 
would  be  excited  against  it,  by  men,  whose 
.views  and  dispositions  were  opposed  to  the 
pure  and  peaceable  spirit  of  the  gospel. 

In  the  Epistles  of  the  Apostles,  a  peaceable 
disposition  is   strongly  inculcated  among   the 
primitive  Christians :   "  Be   at   peace   among 
yourselves.   Study  to  be  quiet  and  do  your  own 
business.     As  much  as  in  you  lieth,  live  peace- 
ably with  all  men.    Follow  peace  with  all  men; 
and  holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall  see 
the  Lord.    Be  ye  ^11  of  one  mind,  endeavouring 
to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of 
peace."    Tims  does  our  holy  religion  inculcate 
ti  peaceable  and  peace-making  spirit;  and  we 
should  remember,  that  *'  He  who  soweth  dis- 
cord among  brethren,"  is  classed  by  the  wise 
King  Solomon  among  those  whom  "  the  Lord 
hateth.     Let  us,   therefore,   follow  after   the 
things  which  make  for  peace,  and  things  where- 
Avilh  we  may  edify  one  another." 

5.  Forgiveness  of  Injuries  is  intimately 
connected  with  a  peaceable  disposition,  and  is 
indeed  its  inseparable  companion.  When  we 
consider  how  great  importance  ia  attached  to 


'i  «1 


4 


108 


XOTE   OR    CHAEITY. 


this  duty  by  our  blessed  Redeemer,  and  how 
much  our  present  and  our  future  happiness  de- 
|)end  upon  it,  it  is  wonderful,  that  so  little  of 
the  practice  of  it  should  be  found  among  pro- 
fessing Christians  of  ail  denominations.     We 
seem,  in  general,  readily  to  iind  son>e  salvo, 
some  circumstance  or  other,  which  does  not 
make  the  doctrine  of  forgiveness  applicable  to 
our  case.   We  perhaps  say,  and  even  make  our- 
selves believe,   that  we  forgive,  when  our  con- 
duct indicates  to  others  the  very  reverse.     But 
it  is  of  die  greatest  importance  that  we  should 
not  deceive  ourselves  on  this  subject,  if  what 
our  Saviour  has  said  be,  as  doubtless  it  is,  true 
and  certain:  "  If  ve  forgive  not  men  their  tres- 
passes,  neither  will  your  Father  forgive  your 
tresspasses."     VMiat  an  awful   consideration   is 
this !  and  how  can  w^  trifle  with,  and  seek  to 
deceive  ourselves,  on  a  subject  iu  wliich  so 
much  is  at  stake ! 


Tliis  duty  is  scarcely  n^entioned  by  heathen 
moralists;  and  we  do  not  find  much  said  re^ 
specting  it  in  the  Old  Testament.  When  that 
book  was  written,  the  dispensation  of  an  eye 
for  an  eye,  and  a  tootli  for  a  tooth,  the  law  of 
retaliation,  was  in  force.  It  was,  however,  a 
virtue  which  even  llien,  at  times,  manifested 


i 


<iOVE  OR  <;HARmr. 


i09 


itself,  and  was  occasionally  inculcated.     Tlie 
example  of  David  in  his  conduct  towards  Nabal, 
*fter  the  forcible,  and  even  sublime,  expostula- 
-tion  of  Abigail,  together  with  his  own  generous 
disposition  towards  Saul,  his  violent  persecutor, 
shows  that  this  virtue  had  considerable  place  in 
his  heart,  and  indeed  exhibits  the  royal  prophet 
in  an  amiable  point  of  view.    His  imprecations 
'upon  his  enemies,  which  appear  in  the  Book  of 
Psalms, may  beconsidered  rather  in  a  prophetic 
light,  than  as  his  praying  for  their  ruin  and  de- 
struction.    This  idea  is  favoured  by  an  altera- 
tion in  the  translation,  of  which  the  Hebrew  is 
x^Bpable,  the  imperative  mood  and  the  future 
iense   being   often  used  in  Hebrew  for  each 
other.    But  if  even  this  should  not  be  admitted, 
it  ought  to  be  considered  that  David  was  by  no 
means  forward  in  revenging  himself.    His  mind 
appears  to  have  been  strongly  impressed  with 
this   Divine  declaration  :  "  To  me  belongeth 
vengeance  and  recomp>ense."   He  was  therefore 
particularly  cautious,  on  many  occasions,  of  be- 
coming his  own  avenger,  and  left  his  enemies 
-to  Divine  retribution.     When  we  consider  the 
dispensation   under  which   he   lived,   and   the 
power  which  he  possessed,  we  may  see  much 
to  admire  in  that  part  of  his  disposition,  which 
a  slight  consideration  may  have  led  some  t© 
think  was  excrptionable. 

K 


I: 


tio 


LOVE   OR   CHARITY. 


1.0 VE   OR   CHARITt. 


HI 


Solomon,  who  was  peaceable  as  well  as 
wise,  gives  us  a  few  precepts,  inculcating  the 
duty  of  forgiveness.  **  The  discretion  of  a  niau 
deferreth  his  anger ;  and  it  is  his  glor>'  to  pas* 
over  a  transgression.  Say  not,  I  will  do  so  to 
him  as  he  hath  done  to  me.  I  will  render  to 
the  man  according  to  his  work."  And  again, 
**  Say  not  thou,  I  will  recompense  evil ;  bujt 
wait  on  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  save  thee." 

But,  after  all,  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that 
this  is  a  virtue  which  gives  Christianity  a  dis- 
tinguishing  pre-eminence   above   every   other 
religion.    It  is  not  indeed  a  mere  affectation^ 
forgiveness,  which  the  religion  of  Christ  re- 
quires: this  religion  goes  to  the  heart;  it  requires 
lis  even  to  "  love  our  enemies;  to  bless  them 
tliat  curse  us;  to  do  good  to  them  that  hate  us; 
and  to  pray  for  them  that  despitefuUy  use  and 
persecute  us;"  and  for  all  this  cogent  reason, 
*<  that  we  «iay  be  the  children  of  our  Father, 
who  is  in  Heaven;  for  he  makcth  his  sun  to  rise 
©n  the  evil  and  the  good ;  and  sendeth  rain  on 
the  just  and  on  the  unjust." 

When  Peter  inquirecrbf  his  Lord,  "  How 
4)ften  shall  my  brother  sin  against  me,  and  I 
iorgive  him?  [Shall  I  do  it]  until  seven  times? 


Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  say  not  unto  thee,  till 
seven  timea,  but  till  seventy  times  seven ;"  inti- 
mating, what  all  must,  on  consideration,  allow 
to  be  reasonable,  that  our  forgiveness  of  others 
should  be  in  some  proportion  to  those  mercies, 
which  we  receive  from  the  fountain  of  Divine 
love  and  mercy;  and  these,  we  cannot  but  ac- 
knowledge are  innumerable. 

In  that  excellent  model  of  prayer,  which  our 
blessed  Lord  gave  to  his  disciples,  we  are  taught 
to  ask  the  forgiveness  of  our  trespasses,  in  the 
same  proportion  "  as  we  forgive  those  who 
trespass  against  us."  In  another  place  it  is 
shown,  that  forgiveness  is  an  essential  qualifica- 
tion, for  presenting  our  prayers  at  the  footstool 
of  Divine  grace,  with  acceptance :  "  When  ye 
stand  praying,  forgive,  if  ye  have  ought  against 
any;  that  your  Father  also,  who  is  in  Heaven, 
may  forgive  you  your  trespasses :  but  if  ye  do 
not  forgive,  neither  will  your  Father,  who  is  in 
Heaven,  forgive  your  trespasses." 

The  Apostles  were  careful  to  recommend 
the  practice  of  this  duty,  and  those  virtues 
which  are  intimately  connected  with  it,  to  the 
Christian  churches :  "  Be  ye  kind  one  to  ano- 
ther, tender-hearted,  forgiving  one  another,  even 
as  God;  for  Christ's  sak«,  hath  forgiven  piK 


li 


i 


K 


o 


lift 


LOVE    OR    CUAIIITY. 


10 VE   OU  CHARITY. 


lis 


See  that  ye  render  to  no  man  evil  for  evil,  but' 
ever  follow  that  which  is  good,  both  amoug^ 
yourselves  and  to  all  men.  Put  on,  therefore, 
as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  boweU 
of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind,  meek- 
ness, long  suffering;  forbearing  one  another, 
and  forgiving  one  another,  if  any  man  have  a 
quarrel  against  any;  even  as  Christ  forgave  you, 
so  do  ye." 

G.  Hospitality  is   another  virtue  which 
arises  from  brotherly  love.     It  consists  in  the 
entertainment  of  strangers,  or  those  who  are 
not  of  our  own  family.     The  state  of  the  civi- 
lized world,  is,  at  present,  such  as  to  preclude  ) 
the  promiscuous   and  unrestrained  exercise  of 
it.     It  is,  however,  a  duty,  from  which  a  bene- 
volent mind,  when  in  suitable  circumstances, 
cannot   discharge   itself;    and  when   the    per- 
formance of  it  is  accompanied  with  temper- 
ance and  sobriety,  it  may  afford  both  pleasure 
and  profit.     This  virtue  is  recommended  to  us, 
both  by   example   and  precept,   in  the  Holy 
Scriptures.     Abraham  and  Lot  afford  two  in- 
stances of  the  exercise  of  this  duty,  with  various 
circumstances  attending  it,    which   give  us  a 
high  opinion  of  the  simplicity  and  liberality  of 
their  characters,  as  well  as  of  the  times  in  which 


diey  lived.     From  these  two  examples,   the 
Author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  recom* 
mends  the  practice  of  this  virtue  to  the  primi- 
tive Christians :  "  Be  not  forgetful  to  entertain 
strangers;  for  thereby  some  have  entertained 
angels  unawares."     To  be  "  given  to  Hospi- 
tality," is  one  of  those  duties  which  the  Apostle 
Paul  recommends  to  the  Romans ;  and  among 
the  qualifications,  which  the  same  Apostle  points 
out  as  necessary  for  a  Bishop  or  Overseer  in 
the  Christian  Churchy  it  is  required  tliat  he  be 
«*  a  lover  of  Hospitality  "    The  Apostle  Peter 
likewise  pecommends  this  virtue  in  simple,  but 
forcible  language.     "  Use  Hospitality  one  to 
another  without  grudging."     And  our  blessed 
Lord  recommends  it,  particularly  towards  those 
whom  he  is  pleased  to  send  forth  aa  Ministers 
of  his  gospel.     "  He  that  receiveth  you,  re- 
ceiveth  me ;  and  he  that  receiveth  me,  receiveth 
him  that  sent  me.    He  that  receiveth  a  prophet 
in  the  name  of  a  prophet,  shall  receive  a  pro- 
phet's reward ;  and  he  that  receiveth  a  righteous 
man,  in  the  name  of  a  righteous  man,  shall  re- 
ceive a  righteous  man's  reward.     And  whoso- 
ever shall  give  unto  these  little  ones  a  cup  of 
cold  water  only,   in  the  name  of  a  disciple, 
verily  I  say  unto  yon,  h«  shall  not  go  without 
his  reward." 


K  3 


iI4r 


LOVE    OR   CHARITY. 


LOVE   OR    CHARITY. 


115 


7.  Friendship  is  another  production  of 
true  love ;  but  it  is  an  enjoyment  rather  than  a 
duty.  It  implies  a  mutual  attachment  between 
individuals^  by  which  tliey  prefer  one  another 
to  others  of  their  acquaintance.  Wa  have  a 
iine  instance  of  this  mutual  regard,  transmitted 
to  us  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  David  and 
Jonathan  afford  an  example  of  as  close  an 
attachment,  and  disinterested  friendship,  as  any 
that  we  have  rccoKlcd  in  ancient  or  modei*» 
history.  Passing  over  the  various  instances  of 
their  friendship  which  are  particularized,  1  shall 
only  recite  that  part  of  David's  lamentation 
over  Saul  and  Jonathan  after  ikeir  death,  which-: 
relates  to  the  latter ;  and  to  heighften  our  ideas 
of  the  strength  of  the  attachment,  it  should  be 
remembered  that  David  and  Jonathan  were,  in 
effect,  rivals  for  a  crown.  "  I  am  distressed  for 
thee,  my  brother  Jonathan;  very  pleasant  hast 
thou  been  unto  me :  thy  love  to  me  was  won- 
derful, passing  the  love  of  women." 

There  are  some  pertinent  observations  made 
by  Solomon  on  the  subject  of  Friendship:  "  A 
friend  loveth  at  all  times,  and  a  brother  is  born 
for  adversity,  lliere  is  a  frieiid  that  sticketh 
closer  than  a  brotlier*:.  Make  no .  friendship . 
-wtith  an  angry  nxau;  and  with  a«  furious  man  ? 


tHou  shalt  not  go."  Much,  indeed,  depends  oii 
the  choice  of  our  friends ;  but  it  may  be  suffi- 
eient  to  observe,  that  if  religion  and  virtue  be 
not  the  basis,  or,  at  least,  the  companions  of 
friendship,  it  is  deficient  in  its  most  beneficial 
constituents;  and,  instead  of  being  an  advantage, 
will  be  an  injury  to  us.  "  The  friendship  of 
the  world.is  enmity  with  God." 

In  the  New  Testament,  we  have  but  little 
which  applies  to  this  subject ;  for,  as  is  already 
remarked,  friendship  is  not  so  miich  a  duty  as 
an  enjoyment:  but  when  we  consider  the  dis- 
positions of  mind  which  are  there  recommended,, 
we  shall  find,  that  the  Christian  religion  is  par- 
ticularly favourable  to  those  attachments  which 
constitute  true  friendship.  Even  our  blessed 
Redeemer,  though  he  was  "  the  Saviour  of  all 
men,"  manifested  the  partiality  of  his  affection 
to  the  Apostle  John,  who  is  styled,  '*  the  Dis- 
ciple whom  Jesus  loved:"  and  it  may  be  re- 
membered, that  Lazarus  and  his  sisters^  were 
distinguished  by  sucli  peculiar  marks  of  our 
Lord's  friendship,  as  produced  this  observation, 
from  one  of  the  Evangelists:  "  Now  Jesus- 
loved  Martha,  and  her  sister,  and  Lazarus^." 


♦f 


CHAPTER  m. 

JIum'dit}/, 

After  treating  on  the  various  effects  of 
Christian  Charity,  it  may  be  proper  next  to- 
notice  the  very  important  virtue,  Humility. 

This  virtue  consists  in  not  thinking  of  our- 
selves more  highly  than  we  ought  to  think;  and 
in  having  such  a  moderate  opinion  of  our  own 
attainments,  with  a  proper  sense  of  our  own 
imperfections,   as   becomes   beings   dependent 
upon  a  higher  power  for  every  possession,  and 
for  every  quality  that  can  make  us  truly  great 
or   good.      It  also  requires  that  tliis  opinion 
should  manifest  itself  by  resignation  to  the  Di- 
vine will,  and  by  condescension  to  our  fellows- 
creatures.  Tliese  dispositions  every  considerate 
mind  must  allow  to  be  highly  proper  and  ne- 
cessary,    "  Who  maketh  thee  to  differ  from 
another ;   and  what  hast  thou,  that  thou  didst 
iK)t  receive?  Now  if  thou  didst  receive  it,  why 
dost  thou  glory  as  if  thou  hadst  not  received 
it  ?**  Here  we  have  an  incontrovertible  argument 
for  the  necessity  of  this  virtue ;  and  when  we 
consider  who  it  was  that  said,  "  I  am  meek  and 
lowly  in  heart,*'  it  can  surely  be  no  degradation 


HCMItlTY* 


IIT 


to  any  of  our  characters,  tq  endeavour  to  "  walk^ 
even  as  He  (the  Son  of  God)  walked .'' 

The  advantages  arising  from  Humility  are 
almost  incalculable,  whether  we  consider  its 
consequences  in  producing  comfort  to  our  owiv 
minds,  in  promoting  the  happiness  of  our  va- 
rious connexions  in  life,  or  in  procuring  for  us 
the  favour  of  that  Divine  Being,  who  has 
repeatedly  declared,  that  the  humble  are  the 
peculiar  objects  of  his  fatherly  care  and  regard. 
There  is,  indeed,  abundant  reason  to  believe^ 
that  Humility  contributes  more  than,  any  other 
virtue,  to  make  us  comfortable  to  ourselves^ 
"  acceptable  to  God,  and  approved  of  men." 

A  humble  disposition  of  mind  is  both  a  reli- 
gious and  a  moral  duty ;  a  virtue  which  should 
be  exercised  both  towards  God  aud  man :  but 
tliere  are  many  who  can,  perhaps  very  feel- 
ingly, humble  themselves  before  their  Creator,, 
who  yet  cannot  exercise  this  virtue  towards 
their  fellow-creatures;  and  whose  Humility,  for 
tlvat  reason,  is  very  imperfect.  Although  tiiis 
virtue  is  of  so  great  importance,  we  do  not  find 
it  recommended  in  any  ancient  book  of  morals 
except  the  Bible.  Heathen  morality  entirely 
dismissed  it  from  the  catalogue  of  virtues ;  but 


f 


115 


HUMILITY. 


1 


it  is  worthy  of  observation,  that  there  are  more 
texts  placed  under  this  head,  in  conjunctionr 
with  its  opposite,  Pride,  by  those  who  have  se- 
lected passages  from  the  Bible  on  the  duties  of 
iB€n>  than  under  almost  any  other  duty. 

A  French  writer*  makes  the  following  ob- 
servations on  this  virtue : "  Humility  is  commonly 
said  to  be  the  particular  and  distinctive  virtue 
of  a  Christian.  The  Heathens  knew  nothing 
of  it;  the  Jews^ rarely  practised  it.  There  are 
many  Chiistians  who,  in  that,  are  like  the  Hea- 
thens ;  but  more  who  are  like  the  Jews.  If 
Humility  makes  the  distinction  of  the  Christian 
Religion,  we  may  say,  that  there  is  no  virtue 
more  rare  in  Christianity  than  that  by  which  it 
is  distinguished."  To  this  quotation  I  shall 
add  another  from  an  English  author f:  "  Sense 
shines  with  the  greatest  beauty  when  it  is  set  in 
Humility.  A  humble,  able  man,  is  a  jewel 
worth  a  kingdom," 


Solomon  seems  to  have  been  peculiarly  sen- 
sible of  the  excellence  of  this  virtue,  and  of  the 
many  evils  which  arise  from  pride,  its  opposite 
vice.  "  A  proud  look"  -  stands  first  among 
those  seven  things  which  he  says,  "  The  Lord 


De  Villiers. 


t  William  Feiui. 


ntJMI£.ITT* 


I  If 


liateth,  and  which  are  an  abomination  unto 
liim.  Wlien  pride  cometh,  then  cometh  de- 
struction; but  with  the  lowly  is  wisdom.  Only 
Jby  pride  xometh  contention.  Every  one  that  is 
proud  in  heart,  is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord. 
Pride  goeth  before  destruction,  and  a  haughty 
spirit  before  a  fall.  Better  it  is  to  be  of  a 
humble  spirit  with  the  lowly,  than  to  divide  the 
spoil  with  the  proud.  A  man's  pride  shall 
bring  him  low;  but  honour  shall  uphold  the 
Jiumble  in  spirit.  A  high  look,  and  a  proud 
heart,  is  sin.  He  that  is  of  a  proud  heart  stirreth 
up  strife.  Proud  and  haughty  scorner  is  his 
name,  who  dealeth  in  proud  wrath." 

Great  and  numerous,  w^  see,  are  tlie  evils 
which  result  from  Pride.     It  is,  indeed,  the 
grand  destroyer  of  human  happiness ;  and,  per- 
iiaps,   produces  more  human  misery  than  all 
other  vices   put  together.      Ambition,   envy, 
jealousy,    discontent,    contemptuousness,    and 
contention,   are   its   genuine   offspring.     It  is 
soon  offended;  and,  what  is  rather  extraordi- 
nary, it  is  often  very  careless  in  giving  offence 
to  others.   When  we  consider  the  many  publick 
and  private  calamities  which  result  from  this 
vice,  together  with  the  unreasonableness  of  such 
imperfect  beuigs  as  we  are,  cherishing  it  in  our 


f 


1 


(120 


KUMILITT. 


4K>eom9 ;  we  dhall  be  sensible  of  the  justice  of 
Uiis  proverbial  observation,  by  an  apocryphal 
writer :  "  Pride  was  not  made  for  men ;  nor 
furious  anger  for  them   that  are   born  of  a 


4%'oman. 


y* 


S 


-Many  are  the  gracious  promises  which  are 
left  upon  record,  for  our  encouragement  to 
cultivate  a  truly  humble  state  of  mind.  ''  God 
will  save  tlie  humble  person.  He  forgetteth 
not  the  cry  of  the  humble.  Though  the  Lord 
be  high,  yet  hath  he  respect  unto  the  lowly. 
He  giveth  grace  to  the  humble ;  but  he  behold- 
eth  the  proud  afar  off.**  And  it  is  a  circum- 
stance which  desei'ves  our  notice,  that  a  humble 
disposition  of  Inind  was  the  first  which  engaged 
our  Lord's  attention,  in  those  beatitudes,  with 
which  he  prefaced  his  admirable  sermon  on  the 
Mount ;  for  it  is  generally  understood,  that 
Humility  is,  at  least,  included  in  the  virtue  to 
which  he  alluded,  when  he  said  :  "  Blessed  are 
the  poor  in  spirit;  for  tlieirs  is  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven." 

The  Apostle  Paul  gives  the  following  ad- 
monitions on  this  subject :  "  I  say  to  every 
man  that  is  among  you,  not  to  think  of  himself 
more  highly  than  he  ought  to  think ;  but  to  think 


HUMILITY. 


tn 


soberly,  according  as  God  hath  dealt  to  every 
man  the  measure  of  faith.      Mind  not  high 
things.    Be  not  wise  in  your  own  conceits;  but 
condescend  to  men  of  low  estate.     Let  us  not 
be  desirous  of  vain  glory ;  for  if  a  man  tliink 
himself  to  be  something,  \\hen  he  is  nothings 
he  deceiveth  himself."     To  these  admonitions 
we  may  add  this  exhortation  of  the  Apostle 
Peter :  "  Ye  younger,  submit  yourselves  to  the 
elder;  yea,  ail  of  you  be  subject  one  to  another; 
and  be  clothed  with  Htimality;  ior  God  resist- 
eth  the  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to  the  humble. 
Humble  yourselves,  therefore,  under  the  mighty 
hand  of  God,  that  he  may  exalt  you  in  due 
time ;  casting  all  your  care  upon  him ;  for  he 
careth    for   you."      These    are  strong   recom- 
mendations of  the  virtue  of  Humility;  but  it  is 
peculiarly  enhanced  in  our  view,  when  we  con- 
sider the  striking  and  encouraging  language  of 
the  Almighty,  by  the  prophet  Isaiah  : "  Tims  saith 
tlie  high  and  lofty  One,  that  inhabiteth  eternity, 
whose  name  is  Holy :   I  dwell  in  the  high  and 
holy  place :  with  him  also  that  is  of  a  contrite 
and  humble  spirit;  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the 
humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite 


i 


ones. 


ff 


CHAPTER  IV. 


I 


Meekness. 

This  is  a  vh-tue  very  similar  to  Humility, 
and  is  sometimes  confounded  with  it.  They 
are,  however,  quite  distinct;  and  this  distinc- 
tion may,  perliaps,  be  most  easily  shown,  by 
stating,  that  the  vice  opposite  to  Meekness^  is 
anger;  whilst  pride,  as  was  before  mentioned,  is 
tlie  opposite  to  Humility. 

Meekness  gives  its  possessor  many  advan- 
tages in  passing  through  life ;  particularly  from 
that  state  of  self-government  wliich  it  produces, 
and  which  is  indeed  its  inseparable  companion. 
When  it  is  genuine,  it  not  only  makes  a  man 
master  of  himself,  but  gives  him  also  a  great 
ascendancy  over  others.  "  A  soft  answer 
tumeth  away  wrath."  There  h,  however,  a 
fa'  -  Meekness,  (and  the  same  distinction  might 
ha .  e  been  made  on  Humility)  which,  proceed- 
ing from  insensibility,  afiTectation,  or  some  mis- 
taken apprehensions  of  diis  duty,  tends  to  pro- 
voke rather  than  to  allay  anger.  But  we  must 
not,  on  this  account,  slight  or  neglect  the  cul- 
tivation of  this  important  virtue,  to  which  many 
precious  promises  are  attached  iu  holy  writ. 


MEEKKES9. 


ISS 


Moses  was  a  remarkable  example  of  meek^ 
ness ;  for  during  the  forty  years  in  which  he 
led  the  Israelites  through  the  wilderness,  and 
under  the  many  provocations  which  he  had  to 
bear,  from  their  impatient,  discontented  spirit, 
we  do  not  find  that- he  more  than  once  lost  the 
command  of  his  temper.  So  remarkable  was 
he  for  the  exercise  of  this  virtue,  under  the 
most  trying  circumstances,  that  it  is  said,  "  The 
man  Mose»  was  very  meek^  above  all  the  mea 
who  lived  on  the  face  of  the  earth," 

The  Psalmist  frequently  shows  the  excel- 
lency of  this  state  of  mind,  and  that  it  is  pecu- 
liarly favoured  by  the  Divine  Being.  **  The 
meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment,  and  the  meek 
will  he  teach  his  way.  God  arose  to  judgment, 
to  save  all  the  meek  of  the  earth.  He  will 
beautify  the  meek  with  salvation.  The  meek 
shall  inherit  the  earth,  and  shall  delight  them- 
selves in  the  abundance  of  peace."  To  the  last 
passage  our  blessed  Lord  appears  to  allude, 
when  he  quotes  the  first  part  of  it,  and  prefixes 
his  Divine  benediction  to  this  state  of  mind. 
"  Blessed  are  the  meek;  for  they  shall  inherit 
the  earth." 

In  the  Book  of  Proverbs,  the  importance 
and  excellence  of  this  virtue  is  cleaily  shown. 


I 


* 


124 


MEEKNESS. 


'i 


and  its  opposite  vice  strongly  censured.  **  He 
that  is  slow  to  anger  is  better  than  the  mighty, 
aod  he  that  nileth  his  spirit^  than  he  that  taketh 
a  city.  He  that  hath  no  rule  over  his  own 
spirit,  is  like  a  city  that  is  broken  down,  and 
without  walb.  He  that  is  soon  angry  dealeth 
foolishly.  A  wrathful  man  stirreth  up  strife; 
but  he  that  is  slow  to  anger,  appeaseth  strife. 
Be  not  hasty  in  thy  spirit  to  be  angry ;  for 
unger  resteth  in  the  bosom  of  fools.'*  Although 
anger  may  at  times  take  us  unawares,  yet  great 
^are  should  be  exercised  that  it  do  not  rest  in 
our  hearts.  To  prevent  this,  seems  to  have 
been  the  Apostle's  view,  when  he  says ;  "  Be  ye 
angry  and  sin  not ;  let  not  the  sun  go  down  on 
your  wrath."  These  M-ords  are  considered,  not 
as  a  command  to  be  angry,  but  to  avoid  sinful 
anger.  A  very  respectable  Translator  *  renders 
it,  "  i/  ye  be  angry,  sin  not." 


'  Meekness  is  a  virtue  which  is  particularly 
recommended  to  the  female  sex,  by  the  Apostle 
Peter :  but  when  we  consider  the  great  import- 
ance which  he  attaches  to  it,  we  must  allow 
that  it  would  be  greatly  the  interest  of  both 
sexes  to  obtain  possession  of  it.  In  giving  ad- 
vice respecting  the  adorning  of  Christian  wives, 


•  Abp,  Newcomc, 


MEEKNESS. 


125 


l^e  first  shows  what  it  should  not  be ;  and  then,, 
in  setting  forth  what  it  should  be,  he  expresses 
himself  thus :  "  Let  it  be  the  hidden  man  of 
the  heart,  in  that  which  is  not  corruptible; 
even  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit, 
which  is,  in  the  sight  of  God,  of  great  price." 


lS 


i 


ri 


•| 


CHAPTER  V. 

Temperance  and  Sobriety, 

These  virtues  relate  principally  to  modera- 
tion in  eating  and  drinking;  and  when  we  con- 
sider the  many  evils,   which   result  from  the 
violation  of  the  laws  that  Temperance  prescribes, 
we  must  be  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  regu- 
lating our  conduct   according   to  its  salutary 
rules.     We  are  not  called  upon  to  deny  our- 
selves of  the  moderate,  and  what  is,  in  the  event, 
the  most  pleasurable,  gratification  of  those  ap- 
petites, which  our  all-wise  Creator  has  made  ne- 
cessary   for   our   existence.      We   know,   that 
*'  every  creature  of  God  is  good,  and  nothing 
to  be  refused,  if  it  be  received  with  thanks- 
<Tivin«»."     But  to  this,  and  to  all  other  know- 
ledge,   we  are  required  to  add  Temperance; 
and  so  to  regulate  our  conduct  as  to  fultil  the 
apostolic  precept:  "  Whether  ye  eat  or  drink; 
or  whatsoever  ye  do ;  do  all  to  the  glory  of 
God." 


it 


We  find  Temperance  enumerated  by  the 
Apostle  Paul  among  "  the  fruits  of  the  Spnit." 
In  another  place,  he  shows  its  importance  for 
attaining  a  superiority  over  others :  "  He  that 
stnveth  for  mastery  is  temperate  in  all  things :'' 


TEMPERANCE  AND  SOBRIETY.         127 

and  in  describing  the  virtues  necessary  for  a 
Bishop,  or  Overseer  in  the  Church,  this  virtue 
is  so  particularly  enforced,  with  some  others 
which  have  been,  or  will  be,  treated  on,  as  to 
render  the  introduction  of  the  passage  here  not 
improper :  "  A  Bishop  must  be  blameless  as 
the  steward  of  God:  not  self-willed;  not  soon 
angry;  not  given  to  wine;  no  striker;  not  given 
to  filthy  lucre ;  but  a  lover  of  hospitaHty :  a  lover 
of  good  men ;  sober,  just,  holy,  temperate/' 

Wx  have  a  few  sorrowful  instances  men- 
tioned in  holy  writ,  of  men,  whose  general 
character  was  excellent,  being  overtaken  with 
intemperance :  but  when  we  consider  the  lamen- 
table consequences  resulting  from  their  con- 
duct, it  ought  rather  to  excite  our  disgust  and 
abhorrence  of  the  crime,  than  to  be  an  en- 
couragement to  a  practice,  which  degrades  a 
man  below  a  brute. 

When  gluttony  and  drunkenness  were  added 
to  disobedience  to  parents,  they  were,  by  the 
law  of  Moses,  punishable  with  death.  If  the 
parents  "  shall  say  unto  the  elders  of  his  city^ 
this  our  son  is  stubborn  and  rebellious,  he  will 
not  obey  our  voice;  he  is  a  glutton  and  a  drunk- 
ard ;  all  the  men  of  his  city  shall  stone  him 


HS         TEMPERANCE  AND  SOBRIETY* 

with  Stones  that  he  die ;  so  shalt  thou  put  evil 
away  from  among  yoa;  and  all  Israel  shall  hear 
and  fear."  . 

Solomon,  in  his  book  of  religious  and  moral 
maxims,  shows  the  evils  attendant  on  intem- 
perance, and  gives  several  exhortations  against 
it:    "  Be  not    among  wine  -  bibbers ;    among 
riotous  eaters  of  flesh ;  for  the  drunkard  and 
the  glutton  shall  come  to  poverty.     Wine  is  a 
mocker,  strong  drink  is  raging ;  and  whosoever 
is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise.     He  that  i»  a 
companion  of  riotous  men  shameth  his  father.** 
The  following  is  a  striking  description  of  the 
lamentable  consequences  which  follow  excess 
in  drinking.     "  Who  hath  wo  ?   who  hath  sor- 
row ?  who  hath  contentions?  who  hath  babbling ? 
who  hath  wounds  without  cause  ?  who  hath  red- 
ness of  eyes  ?  They  that  tarry  long  at  the  wine  j 
they  that  go  to  seek  mixed  wine.     Look  not 
thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is  red,  when  it 
giveth  its  colour  in  the  cup;  when  it  moveth 
itself  aright;  at  last  it  biteth  like  a  serpent,  and 
stingeth  like  an  adder.     Thy  eyes  shall  behold 
strange  women,  and  thy  heart  shall  utter  per- 
verse things.     Yea,  thou  shalt  be  as  he  that 
lieth  down  in  the  midst  of  the  sea;  or  as  he  that 
lieth  on  the  top  of  a  mast,    They  have  strickenr 


«     TEMPERANCE  AND  SOBRIETY.  129 

me,  shalt  thou  say,  and  I  was  not  sick ;  they 
have  beaten  me,  and  I  felt  it  not." 

The  prophet  Isaiah  repeatedly  pronouncefi 
wo  to  those  who  are  guilty  of  intemperance. 
"  Wo  to  them  that,  are  mighty  to  drink  wine, 
and  men  of  strength  to  mingle  strong  drink. 
Wo  to  the  crown  of  pride,  (or  as  Lowth 
translates  it,  to  the  proud  crown  of)  the  drunk- 
ards of  Ephraira." 

On  this  subject  our  blessed  Lord,  whose 
conduct  was  equally  remote  from  the  extremes 
of  the  ascetic  and  the  glutton,  gives  this  pres- 
sing exhortation  to  his  followers  :  *'  Take  heed 
to  yourselves,  lest  at  any  time,  your  hearts  be 
over-charged  with  surfeiting  and  drunkenness.** 
The  Apostle  Paul,  with  his  usual  attention  to 
moral  duties,  gives  many  cautions  against  the 
vice  of  intemperance.  "  Be  not  drunk  with 
wine,  wherein  is  excess ;  but  be  ye  filled  with 
the  Spirit.  Let  us  walk  honestly  as  in  the  day; 
not  in  rioting  and  drunkenness,  not  in  cham- 
bering and  wantonness."  And  we  should  re- 
member that  "  drunkenness,  revellings  and  such 
like,"  are  enumerated  among  "  the  works  of 
the  flesh,**  concerning  which  the  Apostle  de- 
clares "  that  they  who  do  such  things^  shall  not 
inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.*' 


>> 

I* 
'^ 

■H 
■r. 

■X: 


i 


CHAPTER  VI. 

CheutUjf. 

This  virtue  relates  principally  to  the  con* 
duct  of  the  sexes  towards  each  other.  It  is  not 
confined  to  our  actions;  but  extends  to  our 
words,  and  even  to  llie  disposition  of  our  minds* 
In  order  to  maintain  this  virtue,  great  watch- 
fulness is  necessary ;  and  when  temptations  to 
violate  it  are  presented,  our  only  security  h 
immediately  to  withdraw  from  them:  for  this 
reason  the  Apostle  Paul  gives  these  cautions^ 
**  Flee  youthful  lusts ;"  "  Flee  fornication." 

The  violation  of  the  laws  of  Chastity,  is  at^ 
tended  with  the  most  serious  consequences, 
both  to  the  bodies  and  souls  of  mankind;  and 
although  custom,  vicious  custom,  has  diminished 
Ihe  loss  of  reputation  on  the  part  of  the  men  ; 
yet,  we  have  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  crime 
is  equal  in  both  sexes  ;  and,  when  we  consider 
the  infamy  which  the  female  character  sustains, 
by  tlie  breach  of  this  moral  duty,  that  consi- 
deration alone  ought  to  be  a  sufficient  reason 
for  checking  a  vice,  which  often  degrades  a 
Being,  the  most  amiable  of  all  the  works  of 
G«d,  below  the  most  abject  part  of  the  brute 
creatioai.  for  what  is  there^.  in  all  the  produc- 


f 


Ww 


CHASTITY, 


131 


tflons  of  nature,  so  loathsome  and  disgusting,  as 
some  of  those  abandoned  females,  who,  parti- 
cularly in  large  towns,  frequently  obtrude  Uiem- 
selves  upon  our  view?  But  when  we  trace  their 
situation  to  its  source;  and  consider  the  cause 
of  the  miseries  of  many,  who  may  not  have  ar- 
rived to  the  same  degree  of  hardness ;  when  we 
tlius  examine  the  origin  of  these  evils,  and  find 
it  generally  to  exist  in  the  depravity  and  seduc- 
tion of  the  men ;  how  ought  we  to  guard  against 
the  first  attacks  of  a  vice,  which  is  productive 
of  consequences  so  lamentable. 

Much,  however,  depends  on  die  conduct  of 
women  for  preventing  the  evil  now  under  con- 
sideration. Were  their  conduct  regulated  by 
that  modesty  and  sobriety  recommended  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  the  propensity  to  this  vice 
would  be  greatly  checked,  and  its  extension 
much  diminished.  Their  disposition,  their  man- 
ners, theii*  dress,  and  their  general  deportment, 
are  of  great  importance,  and  require  a  greater 
decree  of  caution  than  is  frequently  exercised. 
It  is,  indeed,  deeply  to  be  regretted,  that  the 
following  admonition,  by  an  Apostle  of  Jesus 
Christ,  should  be  so  little  attended  to,  as  there 
is  reason  to  fear  it  is,  by  many  who  call  them- 
stlves  Christians :    "  I  will  also  that  women 


i 


a 


in 


CHASTITY. 


CHASTITY, 


13S 


idom  themselves  in  modest  apparel,  with 
shamefacedness  aud  sobiiety;  not  with  broider- 
cd  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly  array;  but, 
-which  becomedi  wouien  professing  godliness, 
vith  good  works/* 

I  wish  to  say  as  little  as  possible  on  this  sub- 
ject, remembering  that  the  vices  alluded  to  are 
such  as  the  Apostle  says,  should  "  not  be  once 
named  among"  Christians.    But  by  this  expres- 
sion he  might  mean,  that  they  should  not  be 
named,  as  existing  among  them ;  or  that  they 
should  not  be,  as  they  too  often  are,  subjects  of 
Kght,  aiwi  even  of  public  conversation,   to  the 
vi/olatiug  of  the  apostolic  injunction,   "  Let  no 
corrupt  commnuication  proceed  out   of  your 
mouth ;  but  that  which  is  good,  to  tlie  use  of 
edifying."    One  or  other  of  these  constructions 
seems  necessary,  to  reconcile  the  Apostle's  ad- 
vice with  his  practice ;  for  he  has  named  some 
of  the  violations  of  Chastity,  in  all,  or  most  of 
his  Epistles. 

When  it  is  considered  how  much  the  Holy 
Scriptures  have  pointed  out  the  necessity  of 
purity  or  chastity ;  how  strongly  they  have  in- 
culcated this  virtue ;  and  how  forcibly  they  have 
represented  Uie  evils  attending  a  violation  of  it; 
it  is  stran-^e  that,  among  u  people  professing 


Clrristianlty,  Chastity  should  be  so  little  esteemed 
iind  insisted  upon,  as  it  is  by  many  who  make 
this  high  profession.     How  little  are  these  ad- 
monitions attended  to :  *'  Walk  not  as  other 
gentiles  walk,  in  the  vanity  of  their  mind,— 
who,  being  past  feeling,  have  given  themselves 
over  unto  lasciviousness,  to  work  all  unclean- 
ness  with   greediness.     But  ye   have   not   so 
learned   Christ.      Dearly   beloved,   I  beseech 
you,  as  strangers  and  pilgrims,  abstain  from 
ileshly  lusts  which  war  against  the  soul."     In 
the  first  of  these  passages  we  find  a  striking 
contrast  betwixt  the  purity  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion, and  the  impurity  of  that  of  the  Gentiles. 
Their   very   religion   was    contaminated    with 
lasciviousness;  their  deities,  their  worship,  their 
laws,  all  conspired  to  promote  this  vice ;  and 
their  degradation  to  every  kind  of  obscenity  is 
too  gross  to  be  particularized.     "  But  we  have 
not  so  learned  Christ."     No;  Christianity  is  a 
pure  religion  :  it  not  only  teaches  to  abstain 
from  llie  commission  of  these  crimes;   but  it 
«ven  checks   them   in  their   first   conception. 
"  He  that  looketh  upon  a  woman  to  lust  after 
her,  hath  already  committed  adultery  with  her 
in  his  heart.     Keep  [then]  thyself  pure;"  re- 
membering who  it  was  that  said,  "  Blessed  are 
Ibe  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God,*? 


134 


CHASTITY. 


But  it  is  not  in  the  New  Testament  only,  that 
Purity  and   Chastity  are 'recommended,   and 
their  opposite  vices  condemned.    The  Old  Tes- 
tament contains  many  excellent  advices  on  this 
subject,  and  some  examples  aie  related,  from 
which  we  may  draw  much  profitable  instruc- 
tion.  When  Abraham,  with  a  very  condemnable 
timidity,  exposed  his  wife  to  the  temptation  of 
a  neighbouring  king,  the  sense  which  he  mani- 
fested of  the  «in  of  adultery,  is  worthy  the  at- 
tention of  many,  who  ought  not  to  stand  in 
need  of  such  examples.     The  .warm  remon- 
strance of  Abimilech  with  Abraham,  is  indeed 
highly  creditable  to   his   character.     "  What 
hast  thou  done  unto  us?  and  what  have  I  of- 
fended thee,  that  thou  hast  (or  wouldst  have) 
brought  on  me,  and  my  kingdom,  a  great  sin? 
Thou  hast  done  deeds  unto  me  that  ought  not 
to  be  done.    And  Abimilech  said  [further]  unto 
Abraham,  what  sawest  thou,  that  thou  hast  done 
this  thing  ?" 

The  example  of  Joseph,  when  he  was  a  con- 
fidential slave  in  the  house  of  Potiphar,  and 
was  tempted  by  hia  wicked  mistress,  is  gene- 
rally known ;  but  the  answer  of  this  virtuous 
youn*'  man  to  her  solicitation,  will  still  bear 
repeating:  "  Behold,  my  master  wotteth  not, 
what  is  with  me  in  the  house,  and  he  hath  com- 


•N 


CHASTITY. 


135 


mitted  all  that  he  hath  to  my  hand.  Tfiere  is 
none  greater  in  this  house  than  I,  neither  hath 
he  kept  back  any  thing  from  me,  but  thee,  be- 
cause thou  art  his  wife.  How  then  can  I  da 
this  wickedness,  and  sin  against  God?" 

The  crime  of  adultery  is  indeed  censured  by 
all  nations,  pretending  to  any  degree  of  civiliza- 
tion; and  by  many,  even  in  what  is  considered 
a  savage  state.  In  the  law  of  Moses  it  was 
particularly  prohibited.  "  Thou  shalt  not  com- 
mit adultery,"  was  one  of  the  Ten  Command- 
ments delivered  to  the  Israelites  at  Mount 
Sinai;  and  it  is  one  of  the  crimes  which  were 
punishable  with  death.  "  The  man  that  cora- 
mitteth  adultery  with  another  man's  wife,  even 
he  that  committeth  adultery  with  his  neighbour's 
wife,  the  adulterer  and  the  adulteress  shall  surely 
be  put  to  death."  Although  this  may  appear 
to  some  a  severe  punishment ;  yet,  certainly,  the 
crime  is  much  greater,  than  many  for  which 
death  is  inflicted  in  most  Christian  countries. 

But  by  the  Jewish  law,  not  only  adultery, 
but  fornication,  or  whoredom,  were  forbidden. 
'*  Do  not  prostitute  thy  daughter  to  cause  her 
to  be  a  whore,  lest  the  land  fall  to  whoredom, 
and  become  full  of  wickedness.  There  shall 
5e  no  whore  of  the  daughters  of  Israel,  nor  a 

M  2 


136 


CHASTlfy. 


sodomite  (or,  as  many  translators  render  it^  a 
"whoremonger)  of  the  sons  of  Israel." 

In  the  Book  of  Proverbs,  we  have  many  in* 
structive  cautions  against  this  uin,  which  show 
the  fatal  consequences  that  result  from  it. 
"  The  commandment  is  a  lamp,  and  the  law  is 
light ;  and  reproofs  of  instruction  are  the  way 
to  life;  to  keep  thee  from  the  evil  woman; 
from  the  flattery  of  tlie  tongue  of  a  strange 
woman.  Lust  not  after  her  beauty  in  thy  heai^, 
neither  let  her  take  thee  with  lier  eye-lids  ;  for 
by  means  of  a  whorish  womau^  a  mau  is  brought 
to  a  piece  of  bread ;  and  the  adulteress  will  hunt 
for  the  precious  life/'  Again,  "  Remove  thy 
way  far  from  a  strange  woman,  and  come  not 
near  the  door  of  her  house ;  lest  thou  give  thy 
honour  unto  others,  and  thy  years  unto  th© 
cruel — and  thou  mourn  at  last  when  thy  body, 
and  thy  flesh  are  consumed ;  and  say,  how  have 
I  hated  instruction,  and  my  heart  despised  re- 
proof.  Hearken  unto  me  now,  therefore,  O 
ye  children!  and  attend  to  the  words  of  my 
mouth.  Let  not  thy  heart  incline  to  her  ways ; 
go  not  astray  in  her  paths :  for  her  house  is  the 
way  to  hell ;  going  down  to  the  chambers  of 
death." 

To  conclude  this  subject,  on  which  I  have 
found  it  necessary  to  bay  more  than  I  at  fiist 


f 


/'•■ 


CHASTITY. 


137 


designed;  let  us  remember  the  important  de- 
clarations of  the  Holy  Apo&tle :  "  This  is  the 
will  of  God,  even  your  sanctification ;  that 
every  one  of  you  should  know  how  to  possess 
his  vessel  in  sanctification  and  honour ;  not  in 
the  lust  of  concupiscence,  even  as  the  Gentiles 
who  know  not  God.  For  God  hath  not  called 
us  to  uncleanness,  but  unto  holiness.  Now  the 
body  is  not  for  fornication,  but  for  the  Lord ; 
and  the  Lord  for  the  body :  know  ye  not  that 
your  bodies  are  the  members  of  Christ?  Shall  I 
then  take  the  members  of  Christ,  and  make 
them  the  members  of  a- harlot?  God  forbid. 
Be  not  deceived :  neither  fornicators,  nor  adul- 
terers, nor  effeminate,  nor  abusers  of  them- 
selves with  mankind,  shall  inherit  the  kingdom 
of  God.  For  this  ye  know,  that  no  whore- 
monger, nor  unclean  person,  nor  covetous  (or 
father  libidinous)  man,  hath  any  inhei'itancc  in 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  and  of  God.  Let  no 
man  deceive  you  with  vain  words,  for,  because 
pf  these  things,  cometh  the  wrath  of  God  on 
tlie  children  of  disobedience."  Thus  certain  it 
is,  that  *^  whoremongers  and  adulterers  God 
Tiill  judge ;  and  they  shall  have  their  part  in  the 
dke  which  bumeth  with  fire  and  brimstontf 
"which  is  the  second  death." 

M  3 


CHAPTER  vrr. 

Discretiott  or  Prudente, 

This  is  a  virtue  of  high  importance,  in  regit- 
lating  the  whole  of  our  conduct  through  life. 
It  is  often  applied  to  the  management  of  our 
temporal  concerns,  as  preventing  us  from  en*^ 
gaging  in  unwarrantable  undertakings,  and  as 
inducing,  us  to  keep  our  expenses  within  our 
incomes.     But  this  is  not  the  whole  of  the  ob- 
jects it  embraces.     There  is  scarcely  any  con- 
cern in  life,  in  which  we  do  not  need  the  aid  of, 
discretion.     "When  better  motWes  are  wanting, 
it  may  be  profitably  applied  to  the  restraint  of 
vice ;  and  even  our  other  virtues  stand  in  need 
of  its  salutary   restrictions.     "  A   good  man 
Sihoweth  favour  and  lendeth;"  but,  at  the  same 
time,  "  he  guideth  his  affairs  with  discretion." 

What  we  have  on  thi»  subject  in  Holy  Writ, 
is  principally  contained  in  the  Proverbs  of 
Solomon.  He  represents  Prudence  as  being 
the  intimate  companion  of  Wisdom:  "  I,  Wis- 
dom, dwell  with  Prudence.  The  wise  in  heart 
shall  be  called  prudent."  Wisdom  and  Pru* 
dence  are  distinct  acquirements,  and  the  former 
13  very  imperfect  without  the  latter.  "My 
M0a  (sa^'s  Solomon,  again)  keep  sound  wisdOi0> 


©ISCBETiaN  OH   FRrDENCR.  1^ 

and  discretion.  The  discretion  of  a  man  de- 
ferreth  his  anger.  A  fooU*  wrath  is  presently 
known ;  but  a  prudent  man  covereth  shame.  A 
prudent  man  concealeth  [his  own]  knowledge ; 
but  the  mouth  of  fools  proclaimeth  foolishness! 
Every  prudent  man  dealeth  with  knowledge; 
but  a  fool  layeth  open  his  folly.  The  simple 
believe  every  word ;  but  the  pnident  man  loofcp 
eth  well  to  his  way.  A  prudent  man  foreseeth 
the  evil,  and  hideth  himself  j  but  the  simple 
pass  on,  and  are  punished^' 

This  virtue  w«  find  recorded'  among  the 
qualities,  which  the  Evangelical  Prophet  fore- 
told should:  distingubh  the  character  of  the 
Messiah :  *'  My  servant  shall  deat  prudently :" 
and  we  find  the  Apostle,  in  his  Epistle  toTitus, 
recommending  that  the  young  women,  and 
young  men,  should  be  advised  to  the  exercise 
of  discretion.. 

The  following  remarks  on  tEis  subject,  by  an 
eminent  writer,*  are  so  excellent,  as  to  induce, 
me  to  give  them  a. place  here:  "  Discretion  is 
like  an  Hnder^agent  of  Providence,  to  guide 
and  direct  us  in  the  ordinwy:  concerns  of  life; 
There  are  more  shining  qualities  ia.  the  nuQdi 


).* 


t 


'n. 


140 


DISCltETION  OR   PRTyDENCff» 


of  man,  but  there  is  none  so  useful  as  discre^ 
tion.     It  is  this,  indeed,  which  gives  a  value  to 
all  the  rest;   which  sets  them  at  work  in  their 
proper  tinies  and  places ;  and  turns  them  to  the 
advantage  of  the  person  who  is  possessed  of 
them.     Wkhout  it,  learning  is  pedantry,  and 
wit  impertinence*    Virtue  itself  looks  like  weak- 
-aess ;  the  best  parts  only  qualify  a  man  to  be 
more  sprightly  in  errors,  and  active  to  his  own 
prejudice."'   Again,  "Though  a  man  have  all 
other  perfections,  and  want  discretion  he  will 
be  of  no  great  consequence  in  the  world ;  but 
if  he  have  this  single  talent  in  perfection,  and 
but  a  common  share  of  others,  he  may  do  what 
he  pleases  in  his   particular  station  of  life." 
To  this  I  would  add,  that  when  Humility  is 
united   with  Prudence,   they  produce,   in  my 
apprehension,    more   than   any   other   virtues, 
comfort  and  reputation  for  us  in  this  world; 
and  are  not  without  their  use,  in  preparing  us 
for  a  state  of  happiness,  ift  that  which,  ia  to 
come. 


CHAPTER  Vtlh 

Indwiitjf  or  DiHgmei. 

The  importance  of  this  virtue,  for  the  repu^ 
table  support  of  individuals  aadof  families   is 
universally  acknowledged.    Indeed  employment 
IS  beneficial  in  every  station  of  life.    The  want 
of   industry,   when  circumstances   require   its 
exercise,    is   represented   by   the   Apostle,    as 
making  a  man  worse  than  air  infidel.    Yet,  per- 
haps,  he  did  not  mean  to  say,  that  idleness  is 
worse  than  infidelity;  but  that  when  it  prevails 
among  Christians,  it  places  their  character,  in 
this  particular  respect,  below  that  of  many  who 
are  infidels  or  heathens.  The  cause  of  Religion 
sufi-ers  much,  when  those  who  lay  claim,  and 
perhaps  m  extraordinary  claim,  to  it,  neglect  a 
proper  attention  to  their  temporal  concerns. 
%  this  means  they  often  fail  of  pe.formin<. 
those   engagements   which   they  have   entered 
luto,   become  burdensome  to  others,  and,  by 
distress   and   perplexity,   often  lose   the   little 
religion  which  they  once  possessed.     It  was    I 
apprehend,  to  correct  this  error  in  religion,  that 
the  Apostle  thus  strongly  represents  the  conse- 
quences  of  neglecting  a  proper  care  for  our- 
^.Ives  and  our  families  :  "  If  a„y  provide  not 


V 


INDUSTRY  OR   DILIGENCE, 


145 


m 


142  INDUSTRY   OR   DILIGENCE. 

for  his  own,  and  especially  for  ikose  of  his  ovttt 
house,  he  hath  denied  the  faith,  and  ii  worio 
than  an  bfideL" 

Very  strenuously  does  Solomon  rccominend 
industry,  or  diligence  in  business;  and  as  se- 
verely does  he   reprobate   the   opposite  \»rce. 
"  The  hand  of  the  diligent  niaketh  rich,  and 
beareth  rule ;  but  the  slothful  shall  be  under 
tribute.    The  substance  of  a  diligent  man  Is 
preciou*.     Seest  thou  a  man  diligent  in  his 
business  ?  He  shall  stand  before  kings :  he  shall 
not  stand  before  mean  mett.     Be  thou  diligent 
to  know  the  state  of  thy  flocks,  and  look  well 
to  thy  herds ;  for  riches  are  liot  for  ever ;  and 
doth  the  crown  endure  ta  every  generation  ?" 
To  the  sluggard,  and  respecting  him,  the  fol- 
lowing passages  are  appropriate :  *'  Go  to  the 
ant,  thou  sluggard,  consider  her  ways,  and  be 
wise;  who  having  no  guide,  overseer,  or  ruler, 
provideth  her  meat  iu  summer,  and  gathereth 
her  food  iu  the  harvest.     1  went  by  the  field  of 
the  slothful,  and  by  the  vineyard  of  the  man 
Toid  of  understanding:  and  lo!  it  was  all  grown 
over  with  thorns,  and  nettles  covered  the  foce 
of  it,  and  the  stone  wall  diereof  was  broken 
down.     Thcu  I  saw  and  considered  it  well :  I 
looked  upon  it,  and  received  instruction.    Yet 


^  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber,  a  little  folding 
of  the  hands  to  ^leep :  so  shalll  tfiy  povertjr 
come  as  one  that  travelleth^  and  thy  want  as  an 
armed  man.** 

By  the  foregoing  passages  we  see  the  bene- 
fits of  industry,  and  the  evils  consequent  upon 
idleness.  But  kt  us  be  careful  not  to  suffer 
the  duty  here  recommended  so  to  absorb  our 
attention,  as  to  make  us  neglect  any  of  those 
other  duties  which  religion  ^^quires  of  m.  At 
the  same  time  that  we  are  careful  to  be  "  not 
slothful  in  business,"  let  ns  remember  what 
immediately  follows,  but  "  fervent  in  spirit, 
serving  the  Lord," 


i 


^i 


FRUGALITY. 


145 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Fnigality, 

Jc  RUGALITY  consists  in  a  sparing  use  of 
what  we  possess,  and  the  avoiding  of  unneces- 
sary expense.  Both  frugality  and  industry,  are 
publick  as  well  as  private  virtues,  lliey  enrich 
nations  as  well  as  individuals.  True  frugality 
increases  our  enjoyments,  as  ^vell  as  our  pos** 
sessions.  It  niakes  a  man  of  moderate  cir- 
cumstances, and  sometimes  even  a  poor  man^ 
more  independent  than  one  wiio  possesses  great 
affluence;  if  the  latter  is  not  bounded  by  pru- 
dence in  his  expenses.  Although  this  virtue  ii 
not  mucli  inculcated  in  direct  terms,  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  yet  it  may  be  considered  as 
necessarily  included  in  that  Prudence  or  Discre- 
tion of  which  we  have  already  treated ;  and  it  is 
so  unavoidable  a  consequence  of  many  of  the 
moral  precepts,  which  are  inculcated  both  ia 
the  Old  and  New  Testament,  that  it  may  be 
considered  a  Christian  virtue.  That  modera- 
tion which  we  are  required  to  exhibit  to  all 
men,  cannot  be  fully  exercised  without  it ;  and 
when  we  abstain  from  all  those  indulgences 
and  vices  which  the  Christian  religion  forbids, 
we  are,  at  least,  in  the  high  road  to  frugality. 


But  whilst  we  are  paying  proper  attention 
to  this  virtue,  as  well  as  to  industry,  we  should 
beware  of  their  extremes,  a  parsimonious  and 
a  covetous  disposition.     Both  these  are  evils 
against  which  we  have  many  scriptural  admo- 
nitions :  "  There  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  in- 
creaseth;  and  there  is  that  withholdeth  more 
than  is  meet,  and  it  tendeth  to  poverty.    He  that 
soweth  sparingly,   shall   reap  also  sparingly.'* 
"  Thou  shalt  not  covet  any  thing  that  is  thy 
neighbour's,"  is   the .  substance   of  the   tenth 
commandment.     Covetousness  is,  indeed,  pe- 
culiarly marked   with  Divine  disapprobation  : 
''  The  wicked  blesseth  the  covetous,  whom  the 
Lord  abhorreth."     "  Incline  ray  heart  to  thy 
testimonies,  and  not  to  covetousness,"  was  a 
prayer  of  the  Psalmist;  and  Solomon  saith, 
"  He  that  hateth  covetousness  shall  prolong 
his  days."     This  vice  is  severely  reprehended 
by  the  Jewish  prophets:  "  For  the  iniquity  of 
his  covetousness   was   I   wroth.      With   their 
mouth  they  show  much  love;  but  their  heart 
goeth  after  their  covetousness.     Wo  unto  him 
that  coveteth  an  evil  covetousnesjs." 

Our  blessed  Lord  frequently  reproves  this 
vice  in  the  Pharisees  of  his  time;  and  gives  tliis 
solemn  charge :  "  Take  heed  and  beware  of 


* 


146' 


FRUGALItY. 


covetousness ;  for  a  man's  life  consist^tK  not  in 
the  abundance  of  the  things  which  he  pos- 
•eesseth/* 


The  /ollowing  instructive  exhortations  of  the 
Apostle  are  of  great  importance  to  us  all: 
**  Godliniess  with  contentment  is  great  gain ;  for 
we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and  it  is 
certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out.  Having 
food. and  raiment^  let  us  be  ther^wijlh  content. 
Sut  they  that  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation 
and  a  snare;  and  into  manyioolish  and  hurtful 
Justs,  which  dcown -men  in  destruction  and.  per- 
dition; for  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all 
evil :  (or  radier  of  all  these  evils:)  which iwhile 
^ojQe  have^coyeted  after,  .they  have.^rr^d  frp.ro 
the.iailh,. and. pierced  themselves  ;UiF.ough  with 
juj^ny. sorrows.  Therefore,  let, yQur  conversa- 
tion be  .without  coyet9USQe9s ;  find  be  content 
.with  «uch  things, as  ye  have;  for  he  halh.i^^jid^  I 
-wiU  never;  leaye.  tt^e,  norigrs^^ke  th^e.'* 


CHAPTER  X, 

On  Cheerfulness. 

Writers  ott  Morality  have  not  often  giveor 
Cheerfulness  a  place  among  the  duties  of  men« 
It  is,  however,  sufficiently  inculcated  in'  the 
Scriptures,  to  induce  us  to  notice  it  anioogi 
these  duties;  and  it  is  the  more  needful,  because 
the  enemies  and  even  some  of  the  friends  of 
religion,  are  apt  to  exclude  it  froinrthe  code  ot 
those  virtues  whick  Christiamty  requires. 

Cheerfulness  is  a  medium  betwixt  levity  and 
gloominess.  It  is  compatible  with  seriousness : 
and  its  purest  and  most  permanent  source,  is  a 
humble,  grateful  consideration  of  th«  many  fa- 
vours and  blessings  which  we  enjoy  from  the 
Divine  Hand.  A  writer*  lately  quoted,  makes 
these,  among  other,  excellent  observations  upoa 
it :  "  When  I  consider  this  cheerful  state  of 
mind,  I  cannot  but  look  upon  it  as  a  constant^ 
habitual  gratitude  to  the  great  Author  of  nature. 
An  inward  cheerfulness  is  an  implicit  praise 
and  thanksgiving  to  Providence  under  all  its 
dispensations.  It  is  a  kind  of  acquiescence  in 
the  state  wherein  we  are  placed ;  and  a  secret 
approbation  of  the  Divine  will  in  his  conduct 
towards  mau.^' 

*  AddUoiL 
_  N   a 


148 


ON    CHEERFULNESS. 


ON   CHEERFULNESS. 


149 


By  numbering)  or  considering,  our  blessings, 
the  mind  is  prevented  from  dwelling  improperly 
on  the  deprivations  which  we  sustain,  or  think 
we  sustain,  in  this  probationary  state  of  exist- 
ence. In  this  disposition,  the  propriety  of  the 
Apostolic  exhortation  is  seen  and  felt :  "  Re- 
joice evermore,  and  in  every  thing  give  thanks." 

It  is  of  no  small  importance  in  our  passage 
through  life  to  maintain  a  cheerful  state  of  mind. 
To  this  end  an  attention  to  the  foregoing  ex- 
hortation of  the  Apostle,  and  a  consideration  of 
the  reasons  for  it,  will  be  beneficial.  Corre- 
spondent with  this  exhortation  are  some  obser- 
vations of  the  wise  Solomon,  in  which  he  shows 
the  benefits  of  a  cheerful  disposition,  which 
our  translators,  according  to  the  terms  then  in 
use,  have  rendered,  "  a  merry  heart;'*  this  he 
observes,  "  doth  good  like  a  medicine ;  but  a 
broken  spirit  drieth  the  bones."  These  obser- 
vations are,  no  doubt,  intended  to  excite  that 
cheerful  vivacity,  which  is  consistent  with  reli- 
gion and  virtue ;  and  it  appears  to  have  been 
particularly  the  object  of  Solomon,  to  guard 
against  a  fretful  disposition,  by  which  many 
persons  needlessly  distress  themselves ;  and  at  the 
same  time,  make  those  with  whom  they  are  con- 
nected, uncomfortable.   When  sorrow  proceeds 


from  sufficient  cause,  and  is  duly  regulated,  this 
writer,  w  ith  others  of  the  sacred  penmen,  shows 
its  advantages,  and  excites  sympathy  with  it. 
He  also  exposes  the  folly  of  a  light,  airy  dispo- 
sition of  mind.  "  Even  in  laughter,  the  heart 
is  [often]  sorrowful;  and  the  end  of  that  mirth 
is  heaviness.  I  said  of  laughter,  it  is  mad ;  and 
of  mirth,  what  doth  it  ?" 

Our  blessed  Lord  was  particularly  careful  to 
guard  his  disciples  against  a  gloomy  disposition 
and  appearance.  Even  in  the  performance  of 
a  religious  duty,  which,  above  all  others,  implies 
serious  humiliation,  he  prohibits  an  appearance 
that  might  improperly  expose  the  employment 
of  the  mind,  or  cause  an  impression  of  extra- 
ordinary sanctity:  "  When  ye  fast,  be  not  as 
the  hypocrites,  of  a  sad  countenance.  But 
thou,  when  thou  fastest,  anoint  thy  head  and 
wash  thy  face ;  that  thou  appear  not  unfo  men 
to  fast,  but  unto  thy  Father  who  is  in  secret; 
and  thy  Father,  who  seeth  in  secret,  shall  reward 
thee  openly."  Notwithstanding  the  vei7  serious 
importance  of  our  Lord's  mission,  he  affected 
no  austerity,  he  practised  no  severity.  He 
sympathized  with  the  true  mourners;  but,  at 
the  same  time,  he  encouraged  and  animated 
Ihem  with  the  prospect  of  better  days.     He 

.jr3 


156 


ON   CHEERrrtNESS. 


endeavoured  to  relieve  his  disciples  from  aff 
anxiety  respecting  the  things  of  this  world :  he 
taught  then*  to  be  content  with  a  little,  and  to 
be  thankful  for  that  little.  His  whole  system 
(if  I  may  so  csdl  it)  was  calculated  to  relieve  the 
mind,  and  to  give  it  a  serenity  and  cheerfulness, 
above  that  of  any  other  religion  io'  the  worlds 

It  should,  however,  be  considered,  that  pre» 
vious  to  the  perfect  operation  of  religion  on  the 
mind,  and,  perhaps,  even  whea  the  work  i* 
nearly  completed,,  there  will  be  many  close  coi^ 
flicts  and  secret  exercises,  as  well  as  outward 
trials,  which  wiH  unavoidably,  at  times,  depress^^ 
^e  heart,   and  affect   the  countenance.     We 
should  also  consider,  that  the  minds  and  coun- 
tenances of  some  persons  are  so  formed  by  na-^ 
ture,  as  to  deprive  them  of  that  cheerful  appear- 
ance which  others  possess:  these  circumstanceat 
should  excite  much  caution  in  judging  one  ano- 
ther in  this  respect.     It  must,  however,  be  ad-- 
mitted  by  those  who  consider  the  duties  and 
prospects    which  Christianity    pwsents,    pai> 
ticularly   our  blessed   LordV  sermon   on   thr 
Mounts  that  gloominess  ami  inorosenests,  as  welk 
ai(  ceo8onousnes»  and  ostentation,  fornk no  part 
•£  the  religioa  o£  Jesus  ChrisC 


CLASS  It. 

FJRTICULJR  DUTIES. 

CHAPTER  L 

Of  HusBandi  and  Wiv€9, 

Having  treated  on  the  most  important  of 
those  Greneral  Duties,  which  we  owe  to  our* 
selves  and  one  to  another,  it  will  be  proper  to 
proceed  to  the  consideration  of  those  Particular 
Duties,  which  our  different  relations  in  life  re- 
quire. We  shall  first  take  those  which  arise 
from. the  married  &tate. 

MatRRIaoe  i»  a  divine  institution  of  the 
gieatest  antiquity*  It  is  the  means  which  our 
all-wise  Creator  has  ordained,  to  continue  the 
existence  of  the  human  species;  and  the  mutual 
attachment  which  it  requires  in  those  who  are 
united  by  it,  produces  many  duties  necessary 
for  the  comfortable  enjoyment  of  each  other's 
society.  Those  who  are  joined  in  marriage  are 
said  to  "  become  one  flesK.'*  Their  objects 
and  their  interests  are,  (»  ought  to  be,  the  same. 
Their  duties  to  each  other  differ  very  little^ 
Kature  and  religion  having  uaited  in  giving,  ai 


'1 


152 


OV  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES. 


OF  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES. 


15S 


degree  of  superiority  to  the  man,  a  correspond- 
ent subjection,  or  obedience,  becomes  the  duty 
of  the  woman.  This  law  is  necessary  foi  the 
preservation  of  order ;  and  it  is  observable,  that 
through  all  the  relative  duties,  Christianity  set- 
tles the  subordination  in  such  a  manner,  as 
would,  if  it  were  attended  to,  remove  many  of 
those  feuds,  which  destroy  the  peace  of  families, 
and  of  Governments.  However,  in  the  rela- 
tion of  man  and  wife,  this  subordination  takes 
place  in  a  smaller  degree,  than  in  any  of  the 
other  relations.  When  we  consider  the  near 
affinity  described  by  Adam  on  Eve's  being 
brought  to  him ;  "  Tliis  is  now  bone  of  my 
bone,  and  flesh  of  my  flesh,"  it  is  evident  that 
love,  mutual  love,  is  the  first  duty  of  the  mar- 
ried state.  *'  He  who  made  them  at  the.  be- 
ginning, made  them  male  and  female ;  and"  said, 
for  this  cause  shall  a  man  leave  father  and 
mother  and  shall  cleave  to  his  wife ;  and  they 
twain  shall  be  one  flesh.  Wherefore  they  are 
no  more  twain,  but  one  flesh.  What  therefore 
God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  pu^ 
asmider." 

The  principal  duties  which  arise  from  the 
relation  of  husband  and  wife,  are.  enforced  in 
the  foUowing  scriptures.     I  shall  first  take 


those  which  relate  to  the  men :  "  Rejoice  with 
the  wife  of  thy  youth,  llie  Lord  hath  been 
witness  between  thee  and  the  wife  of  thy  youth, 
against  whom  thou  hast  dealt  treacherously;  yet 
she  is  thy  companion,  and  the  wife  of  thy  youth. 
Tlierefore  take  heed  to  your  spirit,  that  none 
deal  treacherously  against  the  wife  of  his 
youth.  Husbands  love  your  wives,  and  be  not 
bitter  against  them.  So  ought  men  to  love  their 
wives  as  their  own  bodies.  He  that  loveth  his 
wife,  loveth  himself.  Ye  husbands  dwell  with 
your  wives  according  to  knowledge ;  giving  ho- 
nour to  the  wife,  as  unto  the  weaker  vessel ; 
and  as  being  heirs  together  of  the  grace  of 
life." 

To  the  women  we  have  these  exhortations : 
"  Waives  submit  yourselves  unto  your  own  hus- 
bands, as  unto  the  Lord.  For  the  husband  is 
the  head  of  the  w  ife,  even  as  Christ  is  the  head 
of  the  church.  Therefore  as  the  church  is  sub- 
ject to  Christ,  so  let  the  wives  be  to  their  own 
husbands  in  every  thing.  Ye  wives,  be  in  sub- 
jection to  your  own  husbands ;  that  if  any  obey 
not  the  word,  they  also  may,  without  the  word, 
be  won  by  the  conversation  of  the  Mives  j 
while  they  behold  your  chaste  conversation, 
Gouplecl  with  fear ;  whose  adorning,  let  it  not 


i 

f 
k 


154 


OF  HUSBANDS  AND  WIVES. 


be  that  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair^ 
and  of  wearing  of  gold,  and?  of  putting  on  of 
apparel;  but  let  it  bt  the  hidden  man  of  the 
fceart,  in  that  which  i*  not  corruptible;  evea 
the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  whichk 
is,  in  the  sight  of  God,  of  great  price ;  for  after 
this  manner,  in  the  old  time,  the  holy  womea 
also,  who  trusted  in  God,  adorned  themselves ;. 
being  in  subjection  to  tlieir  own  husbands." 

I  shall  conclude  this  subject  with  part  of  the 
description  which  Solomon  gives  of  a  good 
wife :  "  Who  can  find  a  virtuous  woman,  for 
her  price  ia  far  above  rubies  ?  The  heart  of  her 
husband  doth  safety  trust  in  her.  She  will  do- 
him  good,  and  not  evil,  all  the  days  of  her  life. 
She  openeth  her  mouth  with  wisdom,  and  in 
-ker  tongue  is  the  law  of  kindness.  She  looketh.;^ 
well  to  the  ways  of  her  houshold,  and  eateth ' 
^Qt  the  bread  of  idleness.  Her  children  arise, 
up  and  call  her  blessed;  her  husband  also,  and 
he  praiseth  her." 


CHAPTER  n. 

Parents  and  Children, 

The  power  of  parents  over  their  children,  in 
ancient  times,  was  nnich  greater  than  it  is  at 
present,    at    least    in   civilized  states.      This 
|>ower  extended  formerly  over  Uje  liberty,  and 
even  the  life  of  the  child.    By  the  Mosaic  law, 
iilial  .disobedience  was  punishable  by  death ;  but 
the  power  pf  inflicting  it  was  taken  from  tlie 
pareat,  aod  vested  in  the  elders  of  the  city;  no 
doubt  after  a  fair  and  open  trial.     In  this,   and 
in  some  other  instances,  where  the  Jewish  law 
appears  to  be  severe  ; .  a  gr^at  improvement  is, 
jievertheless,  made  upon  the.  practices  of  swr- 
rounding  nations ;  and,  by  the  way,  it  may  not  be 
improper  to  inculcate  an  attention  to  this  cir- 
cumstance,^  in  reading  the  Mosaic  Institutions. 

We  have. a  striking  example  of  parental  ^uty 
in  the  Patriaich  Abraham ;  in ^  account  of 
whom  we  ^nd,  that  his  attention  to  this  duty,  is 
assigned;  as  a  cause,  why  the  destruction  of 
Sodom  was  revealed  to  him.  "  And  the  Lord 
said,  filiall  I  hide  from  Abraham  that  thing 
which  I  do?  For  I  know  him,  that  he  will 
command  his  children  and  his  household  after 
him,  and  they  shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord; 


wi 


\ 


156 


PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN. 


to  do  justice  and  judgment."  Thus  did  this 
Patriarch  inculcate  by  his  example,  what  was 
taught  by  Moses,  some  centuries  after  his  time : 
"  These  words  which  I  command  thee  shall  be 
in  thy  heart ;  and  thou  shalt  teach  them  dili- 
gently unto  thy  children:  thou  shalt  talk  of 
them  when  thou  sittest  in  thy  house,  and  when 
thou  walkest  by  the  way,  and  when  thou  liest 
down,  and  when  thou  risest  up."  Consistently 
with  this  injunction  was  the  advice  of  Solomon: 
"  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go ; 
and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it." 
This  may  be  considered  as  a  correct  general 
observation,  to  which,  however,  we  meet  with 
some  sorrowful  exceptions. 

But  children  do  not  require  instruction  only; 
sometimes  correction  is  necessary:  "  Foolish- 
ness is  bound  up  in  the  heart  of  a  child :  but 
the  rod  of  correction  shall  drive  it  out."  There- 
fore, "  he  that  spareth  his  rod,  hateth  his  son; 
but  he  that  loveth  him,  chasteneth  him  betimes. 
The  rod  and  reproof  give  wisdom ;  but  a  child 
left  to  himself,  bringeth  his  mother  to  shame." 

Christianity  has  completed  what  the  Mosaic 
law  began.  It  prohibits  all  unnecessary  se- 
verity in  parents,   whilst  it  strongly  enforces 


PARENTS  AN»  CITILDREN.  157 

filial  subjection.     Thus  the  Apostle,  consider- 
hig,  no  doubt,  that  the  heathens,  amongst  those 
to  whom  he  was  writing,  dwelt,  were  in  the 
practice  of  treating  their  children  with  great 
tyranny  and  cruelty,  endeavours  to  check  a  dis- 
position  to   severity   in  ^parents.      «  Fathers^ 
provoke  not  your  children  to  anger,  lest  they  be 
discouraged."     And  again;  "  Ye  fathers,  pro- 
voke  not  your  children  to  wrath,  but  bring  them 
lip  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 
Althougli  tbe  moral  and  religious  education  of 
children,  both  by  instruction  and  restraint,  is 
the  duty  of  all  parents,  yet  we  find  it  is  pecu- 
liarly required  of  a  bishop  or  overseer  In  the 
Church  of  Christ,  that  he  be  "  One  that  ruleth 
well  his  own  house;  liaving  his  children  in  sub- 
jection, with  all  gravity." 

Whilst  instruction,  correction,  and  tender- 
ness, are  the  duties  of  a  parent;  attention,  obe- 
dience,  and  affection,  are  indispensable  obliga- 
tions upon  the  child.  «  Honour  thy  father 
and  thy  mother,"  is  a  precept  equally  enforced 
by  Judaism  and  Christianity.  It  is,  indeed,  the 
law  of  nature,  as  well  as  of  grace.  "  Obey  your 
parents  in  the  Lord ;  for  this  is  right."  There 
is  nothing  short  of  duty  to  God  can  supersede 
the  duty  of  <:hildren  to  parents ;  and  it  is  with 


\i 


US 


PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN. 


this  restriction  oiily^  that  the  following  precept 
is  given :  "  Obey  your  parents  in  all  things;  for 
this  is  right." 

The  duty  of  children  to  parents,  however, 
does  not  merely  consist  in  obedience  to  their 
commands ;  it  also  requires  that  affectionate 
regard,  and  even  partiality,  which  disposes  to 
conceal,  rather  than  to  expose,  their  faults. 
The  different  conduct  of  the  children  of  Noah, 
when  their  father  was  overtaken  with  intem- 
perance, affords  an  instructive  instance  of  the 
consequences  of  filial  regard,  and  filial  con- 
tempt ;  and  is  an  exemplification  of  this  striking, 
figurative  observation  of  Solomon :  **  The  eye 
which  mocketh  at  his  father,  and  refiis^th  to 
obey  his  mother,  the  ravens  of  the  valley  shall 
pick  it  out,  aad  the  young  eagles  shall  eat  it.'* 
Thus,  ''  Cursed  is  he  that  setteth  light  by  his 
father  or  mother^  aad  all  the  people  ihall  say^ 
Amen.'* 


CHAPTER  III. 

Matters  and  Senantt.  ^ 

JL  HE  relation  of  Master  and  Servant  was 
much  improved  by  the  Mosaic  law ;  and  still 
more  by  the  Christian  religion.  The  regula- 
tions of  the  former  are  excellent  and  liberal :  "  If 
thy  brother,  that  dwelleth  by  thee,  be  waxen 
poor,  and  be  sold  unto  thee,  thou  shalt  not  com- 
pel him  to  serve  as  a  bond-servant,  but  as  a 
hired-servant,  and  as  a  sojourner  he  shall  be 
with  thee.  Thou  shalt  not  rule  over  him  with 
rigour,  but  shalt  feai'  thy  God."  To  Christian 
masters,  the  Apostle  gives  these  short,  but  com- 
prehensive directions  :  "  Masters  give  unto 
your  scrvnnts  that  which  is  just  and  equal,  for- 
bearing threatening,  knowing  that  your  Master 
also  is  in  Heaven ;  neither  is  there  respect  of 
persons  with  him/* 

Very  beautiful  and  impressive  is  the  language 
of  Job,  respecting  his  conduct  towards  his  sei^ 
vants :  "  If  I  did  despise  the  cause  of  my  man- 
servant, or  of  my  maid-servant,  when  they  con- 
tended with  me,  what  then  shall  I  do  when 
God  riseth  up ;  and  when  he  visiteth,  what  shall 
I  answer  him  ?  Did  not  he  that  made  me  in  the 

o  2 


"^l 


i6o 


l!i 


MASTERS  AND  SERVANTS. 


womb,  make  him  ?  And  did  not  one  fttihion  u» 
in  the  womb  i" 

To  those  in  the  station  of  servants,  the  fot- 
lowing  directions  are  given :  «  Be  obedient  to 
them  that  are  your  masters  according  to  the 
flesh;  not  with  eye-service  as  men  pleasers;  but 
in  singleness  of  heart,  fearing  God;  not  answer- 
ing again ;  not  purloining;  but  showing  all  good 
fidelity;  that  ye  may  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God 
pur  Saviour,  in  all  things.  Servants  be  subject 
to  your  own  masters  in  all  things  ;  not  only  to 
the  good  and  gentle ;  but  also  to  the  froward. 
Let  as  many  servants  as  are  under  the  yoke, 
count  their  own  masters  worthy  of  all  honour 
that  the  name  of  God,  and  his  doctrine,  be  not 
blasphemed.  And  they  that  have  believing 
masters,  let  them  not  despise  them,  because 
they  are  brethren ;  but  rather  do  them  service, 
because  they  are  faithful,  and  beloved,  par- 
takers of  the  benefit." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Magistrates  and  Subjects.' 

Government  and  subordination  are  es- 
sential to  civilized  life;  and  we  find  accordin<Tly> 
that  the  duties  of  Magistrates  and  Subjects  arc 
largely  set  forth  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
N  ew  Testament.  In  the  former,  we  have  more 
directions  given  for  the  conduct  of  rulers,  and 
in  the  latter,  for  that  of  subjects.  We  find  no 
form  of  government  particularly  enjoined ;  but 
whatever  may  be  the  form,  the  duties  of  ma- 
gistrates and  •  of  subjects  are  still  the  same, 
^lonarchical  Government  being  most  common, 
Kings  are  most  frequently  mentioned ;  but  the 
duties  connected  with  this  appellation  are 
equally  applicable  to  the  Chief  Magistrate,  oi* 
Supreme  Power,  in  any  nation. 

'*  He  that  ruleth  ov^r  men  must  be  just, 
ruling  in  the  fear  of  God.  These  qualifications 
are  like  the  basis,  on  which  all  the  other  duties 
of  Magistrates  are  laid.  Thus  we  find,  when 
Jetliro  recommended  to  Mpses,  to  provide  him- 
self assistants  in  the  Government  p(  the  Israel- 
ites, he  pointed  out  the  necessary  qualifications : 
"  Thou  shalt  provide  put  of  all  the  people,  abJ-e 

o  3' 


162 


MAGISTRATES  AND  SUBJECTS. 


men^  such  as  fear  God,  men  of  truth,  hating 
covetousness ;  and  place  such  over  them,  to  be 
rulers  of  thousands,  rulers  of  hundreds,  rulers 
of  fifties,  aiid  rulers  of  tens."  To  those  who 
were  thus  chosen,  Moses  gave  this  charge : 
'*  Hear  the  causes  between  your  brethren,  and 
judge  righteously  between  every  man  and  his 
brother,  and  the  stranger  that  is  with  him.  Ye 
shall  not  respect  persons  in  judgment ;  but  ye 
shall  hear  the  small  as  well  as  the  great ;  ye 
shall  not  be  afraid  of  the  face  of  man ;  for  the 
judgment  is  God's."  Similar  to  this  was  the 
charge  of  Jehoshaphat  to  diose  whom  he  ap- 
pointed Judges  in  Israel :  "  Take  heed  what 
TC  do;  for  ye  judge  not  for  man,  [only]  but  for 
the  Lord,  who  is  with  you  in  the  judgment: 
wherefore  now,  let  the  fear  of  God  be  upon 
you;  take  heed  and  do  it;  for  there  is  no  iniquity 
with  the  Lord  our  God,  nor  respect  of  persons, 
nor  taking  of  gifts."  Thus  were  justice  and 
judgment  inculcated  among  the  Jews;  and  when 
their  rulers  and  judges  became  corrupted,  the 
prophets  did  not  neglect  to  censure  them,  and 
to  declare  the  Divine  judgments  against  them  : 
Isaiah  pronounces  '*  Wo  unto  them  that  de- 
cree unrighteous  decrees ;  and  that  write  grie- 
vousness  which  they  have  prescribed;  to  turn 
away  the  needy  from  judgment,  and  to  take 


MAGISTRATES  AND  SUBJECTS.  l63 

away  the  right  from  the  poor  of  my  people, 
that  widows  may  be  their  prey,  and  that  they 
may  rob  the  fatherless."  Thus  also  does  |he 
prophet  Habakkuk  complain  of  the  mal-admi- 
nistration  of  justice  in  his  day :  "  The  law  is 
slacked,  and  judgment  doth  never  go  forth;  for 
the  wicked  doth  compass  about  the  righteous, 
therefore  wrong  judgment  proceedeth."  Ze- 
chariah  complains  that  the  following  salu- 
tary counsel  was  rejected  :  "  Execute  true 
judgment,  and  show  mercy  and  compassion, 
every  man  to  his  brother.  And  oppress  not 
the  widow,  nor  the  fatherless ;  the  stranger,  nor 
the  poor.** 

Solomon  has  many  excellent  observations  on 
the  qualifications  and  duties  of  rulers :  "  When 
the  righteous  are  in  authority,  the  people  re- 
joice; but  when  the  wicked  bear  nile,  the  people 
mourn.  Mercy  and  truth  preserve  the  Kin*y  • 
and  his  throne  is  upholden  by  mercy.  It  is  an 
abomination  to  Kings  to  commit  wickedness; 
for  the  throne  is  established  by  righteousness." 

The  line  of  conduct  which  is  drawn  for  those 
who  are  in  the  station  of  subjects,  is  clear  and 
strong ;  and  were  the  precepts  which  are  given 
tis,  duly  considered!,  it  would  greatly  tend  ta 


-„  ^ 


J 


164 


^1* 


MAGISTRATES  AND  SUBJECT*. 


check  that  licentious  disposition,  which,  under 
the  pretence  of  liberty  and  freedom,  is  often 
indulged  towards  those  whom  Divine  Provi- 
dence has  placed  in  authroity  over  us.  "  Thou 
shalt  not  speak  evil  of  the  ruler  of  thy  people," 
was  a  Jewish  institution,  of  which  the  Apostle 
Paul  acknowledged  the  propriety ;  and  both  he 
and  Peter  are  express  in  their  injunctions  upon 
the  early  Christians,. that  they  sliould  show  sub- 
jection to  those  who  were  placed  over  them» 
*'  Let  every  soul  be  subject  unto  the  higher 
powers;  for  there  is  no  power  but  of  Cod. 
'Whosoever  therefore  resisteth  the  power,  resist- 
eth  the  ordinance  of  God.  Wherefme  ye  must 
needs  be  subject,  not  only  for  wrath;  but  also 
for  conscience'  sake.  For  this  cau;se  pay  ye  tri- 
bute also,  for  they  are  God's  ministers  attending 
u^>on  this  very  thing.  Submit  yourselves  to 
every  ordinance  of  man,  for  the  Lord's  sake; 
whether  it  be  to  the  King  as  supreme,  or  unto 
governors,  as  unto  them  that  are  sent  by  him 
for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers,  and  for  the 
praise  of  them  that  da  well.  Ais  free,  and  not 
usmg  your  liberty  for  a  cloke-of  maliciousness*; 
but  as  the  servants  of  God.  Honour  ail  men; 
love  the  brotherhood ;   fear  God ;  honour  the 


King. 


tt 


The  consideration  of  the  times  and  circum- 
stances under  which  those  advices  were  given, 


MAGISTRATES  ANP  SUBJECTS.  165 

adds  greatly  to  their  force.  They  were  given  in 
the  worst  ages  of  the  Roman  government,  by 
men  who  had  lived  in  the  times  of  Tiberius, 
Caligula,  and  Claudius;  and  who  wrote  when 
Nero  reigned.  If  these  were  the  obligations  of 
Christians  in  such  times,  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
ceive a  time,  or  circumstance,  under  which  a 
true  Christian  could  be  justified  in  violating 
those  instructions.  We  may  therefore  safely 
attend  to  the  admonitions  of  Solomon :  "  Fear 
thou  the  Lord  and  the  King,  and  meddle  not 
with  them  that  are  given  to  change." 

The  duty  which  we  owe  to  our  Governors, 
may  be  said,  in  some  respects,  to  resemble  that 
which  is  due  to  our  parents*  The  protection 
and  other  advantages,  which  we  derive  from 
them,  should  induce  us  to  look  with  partiality, 
rather  than  prejudice,  at  their  actions.  If  we 
cannot  approve  of  all  they  do,  we  ought  to  con- 
sider, that  our  knowfedge  of  subjects  relating  to 
government,  is  not  likely  to  be  equal  to  theirs : 
they  may  likewise  be  acquainted  with  circum- 
stances to  which  we  are  strangers.  It  should 
also  be  considered,  that  they  are  men,  "  subject 
to  like  passions  as  we  are ;  that  the  difficulties 
and  temptations  attending  their  situations  are 
great;  that  we  ourselves  often  err  in  the  ma^ 


'  > 


4 


166         MAGISTRATES  AKD  SUBJECTS. 

nagement  of  our  own  small  private  concerns, 
either  through  want  of  judgment,  or  want  of 
conduct;  and  that,  even  when  neither  of  these 
are  wanting,  we  cannot  command  success.  If 
these  considerations  operated  properly  on  our 
minds,  they  would  contribute  to  lessen  that  se- 
verity, with  which  many  persons  reflect  on  the 
conduct  of  those,  whom  Divine  Providence  has 
made  rulers  over  them;  and  whom  we  are  di- 
Yinely  commanded  to  honom*,  as  well  as  to  obey. 

'    There  is  one  duty,  arising  from  the  subject 
now  under  consideration,  which  claims  particu- 
lar attention.     This  is  the  faithful  payment  of 
taxes  imposed  for  the  service  of  the  governmeut 
under  which  we  live.     It  is  to  be  regretted, 
that,  even  among  men  who  think  they  support 
an  honest  character,  the  violation  of  this  duty, 
should    scarcely   be   esteemed   a   crime,      ^^e 
should  reflect  that  it   is  not  the  government 
only  that   is   defrauded,   which   is,   no   doubt, 
wrong;  but  that  our  bonest  neighbours  also  suf- 
fer.  The  expenses  of  government  must  be  paid ; 
and  if  one  man  does  not  contribute  what  is  im- 
posed upon  him,  his  share  must  be  supplied  by 
others.    But  when  a  contraband  trade  is  carried 
on,  an  honest  man  is  still  further  injured;  he  is 
paralysed,  as  it  were,  in  his  efforts  to  provide  a 


,MAGISTRATES  AND  SUBJECTS.  |67 

8  reputable  subsistence  for  himself  and  his  fa- 
mily. When  these  evils  are  considered,  it  is 
surprising  that  practices  in  themselves  immoral 
and  productive  of  euch  consequences,  should  be 
deemed  of  so  light  importance  as  they  frequently 
are.  lliey  are  certamiy  in  direct  opposition  to 
the  precepts  of  our  holy  religion.  When  our 
blessed  Lord  was  thus  interrogated,  "  Is  it  law- 
ful to  give  tribute  unto  Caesar  or  not?''  after 
some  previous  obsenations,  which  manifest  his 
opinion  on  the  subject,  he  answers :  "  Render 
unto  Caesar  tlie  things  that  are  Caesar's,  and  unto 
God  tlie  tilings  that  are  God's."  Indeed,  he  not 
only  enjoined  this  duty  upon  others,  but  was 
himself  an  example  of  it,  in  the  circumstance 
recorded  by  Matdiew,  chap.  xvii.  24,  &c.  We 
ought,  therefore,  carefully  to  attend  to  the 
Apostolic  injunction;  '*  Render  to  all  their 
dues:  tribute  to  whom  tribute  is  due;  custom  to 
whom  custom;  fear  to  whom  fear;  honour  to 
whom  honour.  Owe  no  man  any  thing,  but  to 
love  one  another;  for  love  is  the  fulfilling  of 
the  law." 

There  is  one  obligation,  however,  which  may 
supersede  our  duty  to  Magistrates,  and  indeed, 
occasionally,  all  the  other  relative  duties.  This 
is  the  duty  which  we  owe  to  God  and  to  our 


I. 


t 


I 


16S         MAGISTRATES  AND  SUBJECTS. 


own  conscience,  with  which  tlie  laws  of  men 
sometimes  interfere.  But,  if  we  cannot  actively 
comply  with  that  which  the  law  requires,  we 
ought  patiently  to  suffer  the  penalty  or  punish- 
ment which  it. imposes.  ITius  the  early  Chris- 
tians, with  many  others  both  before  and  since 
their  time,  have  nobly  and  meekly  suffered  the 
loss  of  property,  liberty,  and  even  life  itself,  in 
support  of  that  faith  and  those  practices  which 
true  religion  requires. 


CHAPTER  V. 

On  Patnotism, 

This  is  a  duty  which  we  owe  to  the  Country 
in  which  w^  live,  and  from  which  we  generally 
derive  those  benefits  and  comforts  which  render 
our  lives  agreeable  and  happy.  The  Love  of 
our  Country  attaches  both  to  place  and  people, 
and  induces  us  to  prefer  its  real  interest*  to 
those  of  any  other  nation  or  people,  and  evea 
to  our  own  concerns ;  subject,  however,  to  those 
restrictions  which  justice  and  prudence  impose 
on  all  our  actions ;  and,  by  no  means,  excludino^ 
a  regard  for  the  welfare  of  other  countries. 

When  we  consider  the  many  advantages, 
which  those  derive  from  one  another  in  a  state 
of  society,  who  inhabit  the  same  Country,  are 
bound  by  the  same  Laws,  and  are  subject  to 
the  same  Rulers;  and  when  we  reflect  how 
much  the  happiness  of  individuals  depends  on 
tlie  prosperity  of  the  whole ;  we  ought  to  con- 
sider ourselves  under  a  moral  obligation,  te 
promote  the  general  good  of  those  with  whom 
we  are  thus  united,  so  far  as  Divine  Providence 
has  afforded  us  the  means  and  opportunity  of 
doing  it. 

Some  of  the  enemies  of  the  Bible,  and  even 
some  of  its  friends,  have  suggested,  that  the  reli- 


i^ 


170 


ON    PATRIOTISM. 


I 


gion  which  it  inculcates,  is  unfavourable  to 
Patriotism.  Controversy  is  not  my  present 
business;  but,  I  trust,  that  whilst  incukating 
this  virtue,  it  will  be  found  that  the  suggestion 
is  without  foundation. 

True  religion,  or,  in  other  words,  the  religion 
which  is  taught  in  the  Bible,  is  a  principle, 
which  is  unbounded  in  its  operation.     It»  most 
prominent  feature  is.  Universal  Love,  witliout 
respect  to  the  boundaries  of  sea  and  land :  and 
to  promote  the  happiness  of  the  human  race  all 
the  world  over,  is  its  principal  object.     Tliis 
object  is  so  much  inculcated  in  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  particularly  in  the  New  Testament, 
as  to  account,  in  degree,  for  the  mistake  into 
which  some  persons  have  fallen,  in  supposing 
that  some  of  the  peculiar,  social  virtues  ai*e  not 
sufficiently  recommended.   What  is  before  writ- 
ten on  these  virtues,  will,  I  apprehend,  be  suf- 
ficient to  show,  that  the  Christian  Religion  is 
Peculiarly  adapted  to  all  the  relations  of  life ; 
and  that,  if  it  does  not  foster  the  ambitious 
views  of  some  of  its  professors,  it  is  because 
the  happiness  of  men  is  incompatible  with  those 

views,  to  which  they  would,  perhaps,  apply  the 

name  of  Patriotism. 

Of  all  the  mstances  of  this  virtue  which  are 
recorded  in  history,  ancient  or  modern;  sacred 


ON    PATpiOTISM, 


171 


or  profane,  it  will,  I  conceive,  be  difficult  to 
find  one  so  noble,  or  so  disinterested,  as  that  of 
Moses.  His  attachment  to  the  people  ovepT 
whoni  he  presided,  presents  his  cbajcacter  in  a 
mo^t  a^o^^ble  pobt  of  vjkew.  When  the  di^* 
pleasure  of  the  Almighty  w?is  ma#iifested  againit 
them,  aftor  their  idolsitrous  conduct  at  Moui^t 
Sw9Ji»  tow  .f9»  cxWy  did  he  intercedle  in  tlieir  fa- 
vour! "  Yet  now,  if  thou  wilt,  forgive  their 
sin:  apd  if  »ot,  blot  me,  I  pray  thee,  oj^t  of  tjby 
Bioojc  >vbi€b  jhoM  hjast  written."  On  pother 
occasion,  when  the  AJpiighly  threatened  t^e 
destruction  of  the  Israelites ;  and  even  offeresfd 
to  make  of  him  "  a  greater  nation,  and  mightier 
than  they;"  Ik)w  nobly  did  he  sacrifice  every 
view  that  ambition  might  have  opened,  to  the 
Love  of  his  God,  and  the  Love  of  his  People  ! 
After  powerfully  interceding,  from  various  con- 
siderations, that  ikey  might  agxiin  be  forgiven,, 
he  obtained  this  gracious  answer  to  his  prayer; 
<^  I  have  pardoned  accoicting  to  thy  wor<i.*' 

Numerous  are  the  instances  of  Patjiotisgi 
which  the  Old  Testament  affords.  The  Book 
of  I*salms,  whilst  it  holds  out  a  farther,  and 
more  spirituiiLl  ine^ping,  derives  many  of  its  ex- 
cellencies from  that  amor  patiiae,*  which  in- 
*  Tbe  Lflve  of  our  Couutfy. 


\: 


172 


ON    PATKIOTISM. 


1 


influenced  the  minds  of  its  writers :  "  If  I  forget 
thee,  O  Jerusalem  !  let  my  right  hand  forget 
her  cunning :  if  I  do  not  remember  thee>  let 
Biy  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  ray  mouth;  if 
I  prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy." 
So  far,  indeed,  was  an  attachment  to  the  coun- 
try in  which  Providence  has  placed  us,  incul- 
cated among  the  Jews,  that  they  were  required, 
when  taken  captive  to  another  land,  to  seek  the 
peace  of  the  city  whither  they  were  carried; 
and  to  pray  to  the  Lord  for  it :  "  For,  says  the 
prophet  Jeremiah^  in  the  peace  thereof  ye  shall 
have  peace."' 

Nor  is  it  only  in  the  more  circumscribed 
^spensation  of  the  Jewish  law,  that  a  predilec- 
tion for  our  country  is  evinced.     We  find,  that 
even  in  inculcating  the  great  truths  of  the  Chris- 
tian  Religion,  this  predilection  is  manifest.   He 
\vho  was  prophesied  of,  as  "  a  Light  to  en- 
lighten the  Gentiles,   and  for  salvation  to  the 
.   ends  of  the  earth ;"  even  "  He  came  to  his  own ; 
though  his  own  [in  general]  received  him  not." 
His  personal  appearance  and  ministry  were  con- 
fined to  his  own  country,  whose  miseries  be 
foresaw  and  lamented,  with  all  the  tenderness 
of  which  humanity  is  capable.     He  even  wept 
at  the  prospect  which  presented  itself  before 
hira  :  ^nd,  at  another  tijme,  lamented  over  the 


.jf. 


ON   PATRIOTISM. 


173 


city,  in  this  moving  language :  "  O  Jerusalem ! 
Jerusalem!  How  often  would  I  have  gathered 
thy  children  together,  as  a  hen  gathereth  her 
chickens  under  her  wings ;  but  ye  would  not." 
Thus  did  onr  blessed  Redeemer  manifest  his 
solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  the  country  in 
which  he  lived,  when  on  earth ;  and  where  he 
fniislied  the  work  which  was  given  him  to  do. 

We  likewise  find  the  apostles  of' our  Lord> 
both  before  and  after  his-  crucifixion,  first  and 
principally  ^abou^ed  to  propagate 'the  gospel  of 
Christ  among  their  own  people,  the  Jews.  Even 
Paul,  the  great  apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  when 
he  entered  into  those  places  where  Jews  resided, 
first  directed  his  gospel  labours  to  them :  and 
such  was  his  patriotism ;  such  his  love  to  his 
countrj'  and  people ;  that  he  could  not  only  say, 
"  My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  for 
Israel,  is,  that  they  might  be  saved ;"  but  with 
a  love,  as  ardent  as  it  was  pure,  also  declared  : 
"  I  could  wish  mvself  accursed  from  Christ, 
for  my  brethren,  my  kinsmen  according  to  the 
flesh;  who  are  Israelites; — whose  are  the  fa- 
thers ;  and  of  whom,  as  concerning  the  flesh, 
Christ  came;  who  is  over  all,  God  blessed  for 
ever.     Amen." 


MISCELLANEOUS 


AND 


CONCLUDING  OBSERVjriONS, 


% 


Since  drawing  up  this  Compendium  of  Re- 
ligious and  Moral  DuUes,  it  has  appeared  pro- 
per to  take  notice  of  a  few  subjects,  which  did 
not  seem  to  come  under  any  of  the  foregoing 
heads,  and  which  I  shall  therefore  include  ip 
one  Chapter  of  MiscelUiaeous  and  Concluding 
Observations. 

Tlie  first  subject  is,  a  light  and  irreverent 
lise  of  the  sacred  name.     This  is  an  evil  sor* 
rowfuUy   prevalent   among   the   professors   of 
ChrisUauity.     It  is  not  only  practised  in  that 
profane  swearing,  which  stamps  ignommy  on 
the  conduct  of  many  persons,  in  the  different 
stations  of  life,  and  is  a  direct  violation  of  the 
repeated  command,  **  Swear  not  at  all,"  in  the 
most  limited  construction  of  it ;  but,  we  also 
find,  in  common  conversation,  many,  who  would 
be  thought  respectable  for  their  religion  and 
virtue,  carelessly  and  miMecessarily  making  use 
of  one  or  another  of  the  Divine  appellations,  m 
clear  opposition  to  that  commandment,  which 
savs,  ''  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  Name  of  the 


KISCBLIANBOUS,  jBtCt 


«r5- 


^! 


Lord,  thy  God,  in  \aii ;  for  tlbe  Lord  will  not 
hold  him  guiltless  that  tak«ih  his  Nam€  in  vain.'' 

It  may  also  be  proper  to  impress  the  mind 
pf  the  reader,  with  the  ipiport^nce  of  associating 
with  suitable  companions;  and  with  the  evils 
resulting  from  improper  connexions  and  ac- 
quaintance. To  reason  oa  the  propriety  of  the 
one,  or  on  the  impropriety  of  the  other,  seem* 
to  be  superfluous ;  as  th«  consequences  are  sa 
evident,  that  even  those,  who  are  far  from  be* 
ing  properly  careful  in  these  poimts  of  conduct, 
will  frequently  leeommend  them  to  the  atten- 
tion of  others.  There  are,  how^eyer,  some  pas- 
sages in  Holy  Writ,  so  applicable  to  this  sub- 
ject, and  so  impressive  of  its  importance,  that  I 
trust  the  recital  of  them  will  be  beneficial: 
<<  Blessed,  says  the  Psalmist,  is  the  »an  thai 
walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly^ 
nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor  sit- 
teth  in  the  seat  of  the  scomful."  In  another 
place  he  says :  "  I  have  not  sat  with  vain  per- 
sons, neither  will  I  go  in  with  dissemblers.  I 
have  hated  the  congregation  of  evil  doers,  and 
will  not  sit  with  the  wicked."  Solomon  delivers 
some  excellent  cautions  on  this  subject :  "  My 
son,  if  Muners  entice  thee,  consent  thou  not. 
Enter  not  into  the  path  of  the  wicked,  and  go* 
Bot  in  Uie  way  of  evil  men*    Avoid  it,  pas» 


176 


MISCELLANEOUS   AND 


CONCLUDING  OBSERVATIONS. 


177 


not  by  it,  turn  from  it,  and  pass  away.    He  that 
walketh  with  wise  men,  shall  be  wise ;  but  a 
companion  of  foob  shall  be  destroyed.    Cease, 
my  son,  to  hear  the  instruction  that  causeth  to 
err  from  the  words  of  knowledge.     He  that  is 
a  companion  of  riotous  men,  shameth  his  fa- 
ther ;  and  he  that  foUoweth  after  vain  persons, 
shall  have  poverty  enough."   To  these  exhorta- 
tions and  observations,  we  may  add  the  follow- 
ing, from  the  first  Epistle  to  the  Gor4nthians: 
«  I  have  written  unto  you,  not  to  keep  com^ 
pauy :  if  any  man  that  is  called  a  brother,  be  a 
fornicator,  or  covetous,  or  an  idolater,   or  a 
railer,  or  a  drunkard,  or  an  extortioner :  with 
such  a  wie,  no  not  to  eat.     B^e  not  deemed; 
evil  communications  corrupt  good  manners." 

Intimately  connected  with  the  company  which 
we  keep,  are  the  books  that  w©  read ;  and  all 
the  good  or  evil  consequences  resulting  from 
the  former,  are  equally  applicable  to  the  latter. 
When  we  consider  the  profusion  with  which 
books  are  now  circulated  ^  apd  how  they  meet 
us  in  almost  every  situation  ;  it  requires  grea* 
care  that  our  selection  of  them  be  such,  as  is 
not  likely  to  impede,  but  will  rather  promote,, 
©ur  progress  in  religion  and  virtue. 

It  is  of  great  importance  to  our  religious  and 
moral  improvement,  that  we  stand  open  to  the 


advice  and  reproof  of  our  friends ;  and,  even  it 
we  should  think  them  severe  upon  us,  not  to 
reject  nor  resent  their  admonitions.  From  the 
very  censures  of  an  enemy,  much  benefit  may 
be  derived,  by  a  mind  desirous  of  improvement. 
**  Open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret  love,"  is  an 
observation  made  by  one,  whose  character  stands 
pre-eminent  for  wisdom  and  knowledge.  Much, 
indeed,  depends  on  the  right  reception  of  ad- 
vice. "  He  is  in  the  way  of  life  that  keepeth 
instruction ;  but  he  that  refuseth  reproof,  erreth. 
Poverty  and  shame  shall  be  to  him  that  refuseth 
instruction ;  but  he  that  regardeth  reproof,  shall 
be  honoured.  A  fool  despiseth  his  father's  in- 
struction ;  but  he  that  regardeth  reproof,  is  pru- 
dent." Wherefore,  "  Hear  counsel,  and  re- 
ceive instruction,  that  thou  mayest  be  wise  in 
thy  latter  end :"  for  "  he  that  being  often  re- 
proved, hardeneth  his  neck,  shall  suddenly  be 
destroyed,  and  that  without  remedy." 

To  these  admonitions  may  be  added  the 
example  of  the  Psalmist,  when  he  expresses  him- 
self thus :  "  Let  the  righteous  smite  me,  it  shall 
be  a  kindness ;  and  let  him  reprove  me,  it  shall 
be  an  excellent  oil  which  shall  not  break  my 
head ;  for  yet  my  prayer  also  shall  be  in  their 
calamity.*' 


H. 


178 


MISCELLANEOUS   ANp 


There  are  likewise  many  exhortations  in  Holy 
Wiit,  respecting  the  administring  of  advice^ 
bvt  they  may  ^  be  8.un*n>*jd  up  w>  one,  con- 
tained in  the  $r8t  Epistle  to  the  Church  at 
Thessalonica :  "  Nx>w  we  exiiort  you,  brethren, 
»arn  them  that  ?re  unruly;  conjfort  the  feeble- 
minded ;  support  the  weak  j  h^  patient  towards 
all  men."    Wfoen  tbeSie  duties  ^e  fwthfi^ly  and 
properly  dj&cbaf ged,  aijd  supportjed  ky  a  cor- 
respondent coiiduct,  t)iose  who  perfoim  them 
are  a  blessing  to  ma^ind  j  and  ou^t,  as  well 
as  those  "  who  labour  iu  the  wo*'d  ^,nd  doc- 
trine, to  be  C5teei»ed  very  highly  iu  l9v^>  ^^' 
Ibeir  work*s  sake." 

Civilfty,  or  good  manners,  though  one  of  the 
minor  duties,  is  of  no  small  importance  in  our 
passage  through  life.    \V  hen  we  are  in  the  com- 
pany of  virtuous  persons,  it  is  peculiarly  pr(xptr 
to  treat  tbem  with  respect ;  and  this  duty,  on 
such  occasions,  is  admitted  to  be  of  indispen- 
sable obligation.    But  even  when  our  necessary 
concerns  lead  us  among  persons  whose  charac- 
ters are  exceptionable,  they  are  entitled  to  cini 
behaviour ;  and  our  influence  with  them  is  pro- 
moted by  showing  it.     If  we  should  think  it 
necessary  to  manifest   our  disapprobation   of 
their  principles  or  conduct,  it  should  be  done 
consistently  witli  good  manners^  as  well  as  m  a 


t  ■ 


CONtrLTJDtXO  OBSiHTATIONS.  lyj 

Chfiistian  spirit.  Indeed,  if  our  minds  were 
imbibed  witTi  that  meekness  and  framility,  which 
have  already  been  faicnlcated,  we  should  very* 
rafcFy,  if  eter,  viofate  tibe  rules  of  civility.  But, 
a  separate  consideration  of  this  duty  seemed 
proper,  because  some  pei^ons,  who  possess 
many  virtuous  qualities,  are  not  sufficiently  at- 
tentive to  it.  Let  sudr  remember  the  scriptural 
exhortations:  "  Be  pitiful,  be  courteous;  not  re- 
toming  raffing  for  raifirtg.  Honour  (or  respect) 
all  men.     Condescend  to  men  of  low  estate." 

Ouf  blessed  Lord,  when  inctdcating  the  duty 
of  humility,  shows  its  influence  upon  good  man^ 
ners;  and  the  following  direction,  respecting 
one  part  of  our  conduct  in  company,  deserved 
attention,  particukirly  by  persons  in  the  early 
part  of  life :  "  When  thou  art  bidden,  go  an<f 
flit  down  in  tlie  lowest  room,  (or  place ;)  tha< 
when  he  that  bade  thee  cometh,  he  may  say  unto 
thee,  friend,  go  up  higher;  so  shalt  thou  have 
worship  (or  respect)  in  the  presence  of  diem 
that  sit  at  meat  with  thee." 


The  means  adapted  to  promote  our  improve-* 
ment  in  piety  and  virtue,  are  of  great  import* 
ance;  and  claim  a  particular  consideration  in 
this  place.  A  strict  attention  to  the  duties  of 
religion,  must  be  allowed  to  be  essential  for  ob- 


I''  I 


li 


ISO  MISCELLANEOUS   AND 

taining  a  blessing  on  our  Endeavours  after  a 
state  of  Divine  acceptance,  and  moral  useful- 
ness.    Of  these  duties,   religious  meditation, 
watchfulness,  and  prayer,   claim  our  principal 
attention :  these  should  be  accompanied  with  a 
close  and  impartial  self-examination,  how  far 
our  hearts  and  conduct  are  regulated  according 
to  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  gospel,  and 
are  under  the  influence  of  that  Divine  grace,  or 
Holy  Spirit,  the  assistance  of  which  is  neces* 
sary  for  every  good  word  and  work.    An  atten- 
dance on  public  worship,   and  embracing  every 
suitable  opportunity  of  obtaining  religious  and 
moral  instruction,  will  also  be  greatly  condu- 
cive to  that  improvement,  the  means  of  pro- 
moting which,  we  are  now  considering.     To 
these  may  be  added,  the  society  of  persons  of 
piety,  virtue,  and  wisdom;  and  the  perusal  of 
books,  tending  to  promote  attainments  of  so 
great  importance.     Of  these  books,  I  scarcely 
need  say,  that  the  Holy  Scriptures  claim  an 
unrivalled  pre-eminence. 

Industry  is  also  a  great  friend  to  virtue ;  and 
learning  has  been,  not  without  reason,  called, 
the  handmaid  of  religion.  But,  when  the  mind 
is  absorbed,  either  in  business  or  in  learning ; 
and,  they,  instead  of  being  subordinate,   are 


C6N€LUD!NG   OBSERVATIONS.         181 

made  principal  objects;  they  then  lose  their 
beneficial  effects,  and  frequently  lead  into  a 
state  of  alienation  from  the  inexhaustible  source 
of  every  good  and  perfect  gift.  Learning  and 
Industry,  when  properly  regulated,  are,  how- 
ever, attended  with  so  many  beneficial  conse- 
quences, that  I  cannot  but  recommend  them  * 
among  the  means,  at  least,  of  preventing  those 
evils,  which  arise  from  idleness,  and  want  ' 
of  employment.  Learning,  when  rightly  pur*  - 
sued  and  directed,  also  strengthens  and  en- 
larges the  mind.  It  produces  an  acquaintance 
with  the  works  of  God  in  the  creation ;  and  is 
exceedingly  useful  in  obtaining  a  more  accurate 
knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  by  reading 
them  in  the  original  tongues;  circumstances, 
which  may  be  made  very  beneficial,  in  promot- 
ing the  cause  of  religion  and  virtue^  Yet,  let 
those  who  are  disposed  to  pursue  learning,  re- 
member, that  "  Knowledge  [alpne] puffeth  up;'* 
and  that  it  ought,  therefore,  to  be  mixed  with 
that  Charity,  which  not  only  edifieth,  but  sano* 
tifieth;  and  direct*  all  our  acquirements  to  these 
most  important  objects,  tlie  glory  of  God,  and  . 
tlie  good  of  our  fellow-creatures.. 

luAvriting  this  work,  the  words  of  the  Psaliiir 
istv  in  an  address  to  the  Almighty,  have  fr^ 


.  i 


M      fit 


m 


I 


i 


IS& 


miMJKMrAJTEOtJS  AK^ 


qnently  been  brought  to  my  remembrance^ 
**  Tliy  oommandmeRt  is  exceeding  broad*"  £**• 
tensive,  indeed,  is  the  field  of  labour,  whkA  »* 
proper  attention  to  ckity  openi8  before  tift.     Re* 
ilecdon  and  action  are  both  called  intd  nste;, 
and,  tvhen  united  under  the  influence  of  Divine 
grace,  will  not  fail  of  producing  "  fruit  unta 
life  eternal.''     But,  wide  and  extensive  as  our- 
duties  are,  they  are  so  simple,  and  so  reason- 
able, that  I  apprehend  the  propriety  of  those 
•which  are  inculcated  in  this  volume,  will  scarcely 
be  controverted  by  any  individual  ^at  least,  not 
by  any  who  lays  claim,  to  tlie  name  of  a  Chris- 
tian; and,  1  trust,  it  will  be  universally  admit- 
ted,  that  where  these  duties  are  properly  re- 
garded, the  great   essentials  of  the  Christian' 
character  are  attained.   I'hey  are  duties  becom- 
ing rational  andimniortal  spirits.  K  the  practice 
of  them  is,  at  times,  difficult  and  laborious, 
means  are  afforded,  more  than  equal  to  this 
difBculty  and  labour.     "^  My  grace  is  sufficient 
for  thee,"  is  applicable  to  every  true  believer 
in  Christ,  in  all  times  of  trial  and  temptation  ;, 
and  they  who  live  under  the  influence  of  this- 
grace,  *  can  at  times  say,  "  We  are  more  than 
conquerors  through  him  that  loved  us."     Not- 
ivithstanding  all   the   exercises   to  which  the: 
Christian  tiaveller  is  subject,  the  mortilicutioni 


and  selfMdmriai  which  an  attefttioit  to  Tetigto^ 
and  norrfd  ddties  inay  require,  are  not  so  great 
as  are  often  imposed  «pon  mete,  by  k  pursuit  ^ 
tlie  vaiA  and  sinfol  pleasures  of  the  ^vwW.  The 
present  enJoyinents>  and  the  rutfute  pro^jwcts. 
iDf  die  humble  Qnistian,  are  of  sb  exalted  a  tit- 
ture,  that  thi^  world  ha»  nbthing^  to^ut  in  eom- 
petitioo  with  thehi,  but  what  Inay  bfecdtisidcred 
as  vanity;  and  often  \v6fse  than  vanity,  texation 
of  spirit.    To  the  obedient  atid  sufe^ected-midd; 
the  "  ways  of  wisdom  ai-e  ways  6f  |>leasantness, 
and  all  hfer  paths  are  peace.     The  work  of 
righteousness  shall   bfe  peace ;  bfad  the  effect 
of  righteousness,  quietness,  and  assurance  fo» 


ever. 


Having  now  finished  these  miscellaneous* 
remarks,  I  shall  conclude  with  the  following, 
exhortations  of  ad  inspired  apostle :  they  form 
a  kind  of  recapitulation  of  the  duties  which 
have  been  inculcated  in  this  volume,  and  may 
not  improperly  close  these  humble  endeavours^, 
for  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  religion  and 
virtue ;  a  cause,  dignified  with  immortality,  and 
crowned  with  eternal  life :  **  Finally,  brethren,. 
whatsoever  things  are  true,  whatsoever  things- 
are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just,  what- 
soever things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  ar»^ 


i 


1^ 


t^^i 


^134  MISCEtlANEOVS,  &C.'^  > 

lovely,  whatsoever  things  are  of  good  report;  MT 
there  be  aay  virtue,  and  if  ther«  b6  any  praise, 
Aink  on  these  things.     See  that  none  render 
evil  for  evU  unto  any  man ;  b»t  ever  follow  thaft 
which  is  good,  both  among  yourselves,  and  to 
all   men.      Rejoice   evermore  r  pray  without 
ceasing;  in  every  thing  give  thanks;  for  this  is 
^e  will  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  concerning 
you.    Quench  not- the  Spirit;  despise  not  pro^ 
phesying;  prove  all  things;  hold  fast  that  which 
is  good;  and  the^vety  God  of  peace  sanctify  yon 
wholly/    And  I  pray  God  your  whole  spirit, 
and  soul,  and  body,  may  be  preserved  blameless 
unto^e  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 


TINIS; 


Printed  bv 
C.  PEACOCK, 
CoQrant- Office,  York..- 


THE 


FAITH 


OF   TIID 


PEOPLE  CALLED  QUAKERS, 


ijf 


OUR  LORD  AND  SAVIOUR 


JESUS    CHRIST. 


SET    FORTH    IN 


Various  Extracts  from  their  Writiyigs* 


5^ 


By  henry  TUKE. 


THE  THIRD  EDITION  ENLARGED, 


gorfe 


JPRI5TEO  BY  C.  PEACOCK, 

FOR 

M'.  ALEXANDER,  AND  SOLD   BY  Hlltf  ; 

SOLD  ALSO  BY  M.  M.  AND  E.  WEBB,  BRISTOL;  AND  DARTaN; 

■ARTgy;  AN©  90*  AND  W.  PflUiiPS,  IiONVON. 

1812, 


,* 


INTRODUCTIOX. 


THE  object  of  this  compilation  ig  threefold. 

First,  To  bear,  in  this  age  of  scepticism  and  inridclify, 
when  many  are  swerving  from  the  Christian  faith,  a  public 
testiinonjr  to  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  God  in  the  flesh, 
and  to  the  benefits  derived  to  mankind  thereby. 

Secondlj/f  To  remove  from  the  Society  of  which  I  am 
a  member,  the  suggestions  and  imputations  of  mvsound- 
ness  in  this  great  point  of  Christian  doctrii>e,  whleh  have 
at  times  been  cast  upon  it. 

Thirdfi/j  To  manifest,  by  clear  and  indisputable  testi- 
monies, to  such  of  our  own  members  as  have  not  maturely 
considered  the  subject,  what  our  uniform  and  acknow* 
k'dged  principles  are;  that  they  may  be  the  more  upon 
their  guard  against  any  persons,  who  may  endeavour  to 
draw  them  from  the  stability  of  faith. 

It  appears  to  me  to  be  a  time,  wherein  true  believers 
in  Christ,  of  all  denominations,  should  unite  in  the  support 
of  our  holy  religion ;  but  whilst  we  are  carefully  cudea- 


A  2 


i 


4 

\(rurin3  to  m^dntain  the  Truth  as  it  Is  in  Jcsu5,  and  even 
willing  lo  contend,  nhtn  occasion  requires,  for  that  faith, 
tj  hich  was  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  let  us  also  be  espc 
cially  careful  to  adorn  the  gospel  of  Christ  with  a  consis- 
tent conduct,  regulated  by  that  grace  and  truth  which  are 
come  by  Uim,  in  whom  we  all  profess  ur  believe.     Wiifv- 
wut  tl.l5  we  bear  but  ft  very  Imperfect  testimony  to  iliC 
superior  excellence  of  the  gospel  dispensation,  give  Us 
cneraies  an  opportunity  to  defame  it,  and  prove  ourselves 
to  be  like  the  foolish  builder  upon  the  sandy  foundation, 
to  whom  our  blessed  Redeemer  compared  those  who  heard 
Kis  sayings,  but  did  them  not. 

Nevertheless,  the  truth  cf  Christianity  does  not  depend 
tipon  the  conduct  of  its  professors;  for  however  inconsi?- 
tent  this  may  be,  yet  the  excellency  of  the  Christian  faitn, 
and  the  purity  of  Its  precepts,  will  ever  bear  a  strong  and 
ttnequlvoool  testimony  against  the  conduct  of  those  who 
\tcnd  the  Truth  in  unrighteousness.     Let  none  therefore, 
fjbm  the  we-.ikucss  or  wickedness  of  mankind,   condemn  a 
rtligion,  the  best  calculated  of  any  for  t!)e  correction  of 
these  evils,  and  for  our  redemption  from  them ;  and  which 
is  indeed  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  nature  of  a  Being 
prone  to  sin,  and  encompiissed  with  many  infirmities;  but 
who  is  at  the  same  time  called  to  glory  and  to  virtue,  and 
desic^r.ed  for  that  life  and  immortality  which  are  brouj^ht 
to  li^ht  by  the  gospcb, 


The  misapprehensions  which  have  been  entertained 
respecting  our  Faith  in  Christ,  appear  to  me  to  have 
arisen,  not  so  much  from  a  difference  of  belief,  as  from 

laying  more  stress  on  different  points  of  Christian  doctrine. 
We  believe  with  other  Christians,  as  will  appear  from  the 
following  compilation,  in  the  great  and  leadhig  truths  of 
Christianity  :  but  whilst  some  of  its  professors  are  princl- 
iially  inculcating  a  faith  in  the  benefits  to  be  received 
from  our  blessed  Saviour*s  life  and  death,  and  in  tliaL 
which  he  has  done  for  us  without  us;  we,  fully  believing 
all  those  essential  truths,  think  it  of  the  utmost  importance 
to  draw  the  attention  of  men  to  that  divinej  light  or  Spirit, 
By  which  the  work  of  salvation  is  to  be  carried  forward  in 
us,  and  for  us,  and,  in  some  measure,  by  us.  This  being 
a  work  which  requires  our  constant  attention,  we  are  prin- 
cipally concerned  to  inculcate  a  belief  in,  and  a  depen- 
dance  on,  this  divine  Spirit,  as  that  from  which  "  all  holy 
desires,  all  good  counsels,  and  all  just  works,  do  proceed,"^ 
and  by  which  we  are  rendered  acceptable  to  God,  through 
Jesus  Christ. 

The  following  quotations  are  but  a  small  part  of  what 
mijiht  have  been  adduced  on  this  occasion  ;  but  it  is  aj^j- 
prchended,  they  will  be  amply  sufficient  to  manifest  tht^ 
uniformity  of  our  principles  on  the  subject,  and  their 
agreement  with  the  doctrines  of  the  New  Testament. 
They  will  also  evince  our  belief  in  .tlie  Holy  Scriptures; 


m 


xsihkh  we  consider,  with  the  apo5t'.e,  as  '  able  to  make 
tv-ise  unto  salvation,   through  faith  which  is   in  Christ 
Jesus/    And  whilst  I  feel  anxious  for  the  preservation  of 
this  lUith,  both  with  respect  to  the  coming  of  the  Son  of 
God  in  the  flesh,  for  the  redemption  of  mankind ;  and  to 
that  glory  which  he  had  with  the  Father  before  the  world 
began;  I  am  also  earnestly  solicitous,  that  all  who  make 
this  profession,  may  likewise  believe  in,  and  receive  him, 
in  his  inward  and  spiritual  appearance,  bv  which  he  en- 
lightens our  understandings,  and  purifies  our  hearts.  Thus 
shall  we  become  partakers  of  '  the  fulness  of  the  blessing 
©f  the  gospel  of  Christ;'  and  know  '  what  is  the  riches  of 
the  glory  of  this  mystery  among  the  Gentiles;  which  is 
Christ  within,  the  hope  of  glory.' 


THE 

4 

FAITH 

OF   THE 

PEOPLE  CALLED  QUAKERS,  S^c. 

JN  producing  the  testimonies  of  our  Friends 
on  this  occasion,  an  attention  will  be  generally 
paid  to  the  order  of  time  in  which  they  were 
written. 

The  first  extracts  which  I  shall  make  are 
from  the  Journal  of  George  Fox;  and  as  he  was 
made  instrumental  in  gathering  us  to  be  a  people, 
and  is  generally  considered  as  the  founder  of  our 
Society,  his  testimony  may  have  the  more  weight. 

George  Fox*s  Journal,  p.  3,  3d  edit.—'  The 
Priest  of  Drayton,  the  town  of  my  birth,  whose 
name  was  Nathaniel  Stevens,  asked  me,  why 
Christ  cried  out  upon  the  Cross,  "  My  God, 
ray  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  r"  And  why 
he  said,  "  if  it  be  possible  let  this  cup  pass  from 
me;  yet  not  my  will,  but  thine,  be  done."  I 
told  him,  at  that  time  the  sins  of  all  mankind 
were  upon  him,  and  their  iniquities  and  trans- 
gressions, with  which  he  was  wounded ;  which  he 
-was  to  bear,  and  to  be  an  offering  for,  as  be  was 


4 


man;  but  died  not,  as  he  was  God:  so,  in  that 
lie  died  for  all  men,  tasting  death  for  every  man, 
he  was  an  offering  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world. 
This  I  spoke,  being  at  that  time  in  a  measure  sen- 
sible of  Christ's  sufferings.  The  Priest  said  it 
lias  a  very  good  full  answer,  ami  such  a  one  as  he 
had  not  heard.* 

In  a  publication  about  the  year  l67o,.  entitled, 
"  A  Testimony  of  what  we  believe  of  Christ," 
George  Fox  expresses  himself  thus  :  —  '  llie 
Apostle  speaking  of  the  Fathers  saith,  "  Of 
'whom  as  concerning  the  flesh  Christ  came,  who 
is  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever>  Amen."— Thia 
was  the  Apostle's  doctrine  to  the  Church  then, 
which  we  do  witness,  both  as  to  his  flesh,  and  a& 
he  was  God.' 

George  Fox's  Journal,  p.  434.  In^  a  paper 
addressed  to  the  Governor  of  Barbadoes>  he  ex- 
presses himself  thus :  *  We  own  and  believe  in 
Jesus  Christ,  his  (God's)  beloved  and  only  begot- 
ten Son,  in  whom  he  is  well  pleased^  who  wa3 
conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  born  of  the 
Virgin  Mary;  in  ^hom  we  have  redemption 
through  his  blood,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins ; 
■U'ho  is  the  express  image  of  the  invisible  God^ 
the  first-born  of  every  creature;  by  whom  were 
all  tilings  created  that  aie  iu  heaven,  and  that  ar* 


in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be 
thrones,  dominions,  principalities,  or  powers ;  all 
ihiu'T^s  were  created  by  Him.  And  we  do  own 
and  believe,  that  he  was  made  a  sacrifice  for  sin, 
who  knew  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his 
mouth ;  and  that  he  was  crucified  for  us  in  the 
ihbhf  without  the  gales  of  Jerusalem;  and  that  he 
was  buried,  and  rose  again  the  third  day,  by  the 
power  of  his  Father,  for  our  justification;  and 
that  he  ascended  up  into  heaven,  and  now  sittelh 
at  the  right  hand  of  God.  This  Jesus,  who  was 
the  foundation  of  the  holy  prophets  and  apostles, 
is  our  foundation  ;  and  we  do  believe  there  is  no 
other  foundation  to  be  laid,  but  that  which  is  laid, 
even  Jesus  Christ;  who  tasted  death  for  every 
man;  shed  his  blood  for  all  men;  is  the  propitia- 
tion for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.' 

Isaac  Pennington,  in  a  publication  entitled, 
*  The  Sum  and  Substance  of  our  Religion,'  men- 
tions the  folIoN\ing  objection,  which  had  been 
made,  and  replies  thereto.  See  vol.  1,  p.  GQ4, 
quarto  edit,  of  his  works. 

'  It  is  objected  against  us  who  are  called 
Quakers,  that  we  deny  Christ,  and  look  not  to  be 
saved  b)  hiin,  as  he  was  manifested  widiout  us ; 
but  look  only  to  be  saved  by  a  Christ  withm  us; 


10 

to  wliiclj,  this  is  in  my  heart  to  answer  to  such  as 
singly  desire  satisfaction  therein. 

'  We  do  indeed  expect  to  be  saved  by  tlie 
revehition  and  operation  of  the  life  of  Christ 
within  us;  yet  not  without  relation  to  what  he 
did  without  us ;  for  all  that  he  did  in  that  body  of 
flesh  was  of  the  Father,  and  had  its  place  and  ser- 
vice in  the  will,  and  according  to  the  counsel,  of 
the  Father/ 

In  another  treatise,  entitled,  '  Flesh  and  blood 
of  Christ,'  &c.  he  expresses  himself  thus :  vol.  2, 
p.  25G. 

'  Now  as  touching  the  outward",  which  ye  say 
we  deny,  because  of  our  testimony  to  the  inward, 
1  have  frequently  given  a  most  solemn  testimony 
thereunto ;  and  God  knoweth  it  to  be  the  truth  of 
niy  heart,  and  that  the  testifying  to  the  inward 
doth  not  make  the  outward  void,  but  rather  esta- 
blish it  in  its  place  and  service.  God  himself, 
who  knew  what  virtue  was  in  die  inward,  yet 
hath  pleased  to  make  use  of  the  outward;  and 
who  mav  contradict  and  slight  his  wisdom  and 
counsel  therein  ?  Glorious  was  the  appearance 
and  manifestation  of  his  Son  in  the  flesh;  precious 
his  subjection  and  holy  obedience  to  his  Father; 
and  Ills  giving  himself  up  to  death  for  sinners  was 


11 

4pf  great  esteem  in  his  Father's  eye;  it  was  a  spot- 
less sacrifice  of  great  value,  and  eflectual  for  the 
remission  of  sins ;  and  1  do  acknowledge  humbly 
luito  the  Lord,  the  remission  of  my  sins  thereb}', 
end  bless  the  Lord  for  it;  even  for  giving  up  his 
Son  to  dearii  for  us  all,  and  giving  all  that  believe 
in  his  name  and  power,  to  partake  of  remission  of 
sins  through  him.' 

William  Smith,  in  '  A  New  Catechism,'  printed 
in  the  year  lG64,  expresses  himself  as  follows^ 

*  We  believe  that  all  things  which  are  spoken 
by  the  holy  prophets  and  apostles  concerning 
Christ,  are  true,  according  to  the  Scriptures.  We 
believe,  that  all  the  dispensations  of  God  whicli 
are  manifested  by  the  Scriptures,  are  altogether 
true ;  and  that  they  were  fulfilled  according  to  the 
determinate  will  and  counsel  of  God ;  so  that  our 
faith  concerning  Christ  in  us,  and  the  work  which 
he  there  worketh  for  us,  doth  not  at  all  make  void 
any  of  the  dispensations  of  God,  which  in  times 
past  w;ere  revealed  to  his  holy  prophets  and 
apostles,  and  by  them  testified  in  the  Scriptures ; 
so  that  the  work,  which  the  Father  then  gave  the 
Son  to  do,  we  believe  that  he  fulfilled,  according 
to  the  Father's  will ;  and  that  all  things  pertain- 
ing to  life  and  salvation,  were  fully  and  perfectly 
in  him ;  and  that  he  humbled  bimself  to  the  death 


Jt 


I 


12 

of  tlie  cross,  and  from  death  did  rise  again.  And 
we  believe  that  he  is  the  resurrection  and  the  life, 
and  gives  eternal  life  to  all  that  believe  in  him/ 

In  1671,  George  Whitehead  and  William  Pemi, 
published  '  A  Serious  Apology,'  in  which  is  this 
full  and  explicit  declaration  of  their  faith : 

<  We  do  believe  in  one  holy  God  Almighty, 
who  is  an  eternal  Spirit,  the  Creator  of  all  things; 
and  in  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son,  and 
express  image  of  his  substance;  who  took  upon 
him  flesh,  and  was  in  the  world;  and  in  life,  doc- 
trine, miracles,  death,  resurrection,  ascension,  and 
mediation,  perfectly  did,  and  does  continue  to  do, 
the  will  of  God ;  to  whose  holy  life,  power, 
mediation,  and  blood,  we  only  ascribe  our  sanc- 
tification,  justification,  redemption,  and  perfect 
salvation.  And  we  believe  in  one  holy  Spirit, 
tliat  proceeds  from  the  Father  and  the  Son,  a 
measure  of  which  is  given  to  all  to  profit  with; 
and  he  that  has  one,  has  all,  for  those  three  are 
One,  who  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  first  and 
the  last,  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever.     Amen/ 

A^^ain,  William  Penn,  in  his  *  Primitive  Chris- 
tianity,' chap.  viii.  sect.  4.  expresses  himself  thus: 

'Justification  consists  of  two  parts — justification 
from  Ae  guilt  of  sin,  and  justification  from  the 


i3 

power  and  pollution  of  sin.  Tlie  first  part  of 
justification  we  do  reverently  and  humbly  acknow- 
ledge, is  only  for  the  sake  of  the  death  and  suffer- 
ings of  Christ;  nothing  we  can  do,  though  by  the 
operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  l?eing  able  to  can- 
cel old  debts,  or  to  wipe  out  old  scores.  It  is 
the  power  and  efficacy  of  that  propitiatory  ofFer- 
ing,  upon  faith  and  repentance,  that  justifies  us 
from  the  sins  that  are  past;  and  it  is  the  power 
of  Christ's  Spirit  in  our  hearts,  that  purifies  aud 
makes  us  acceptable  before  God.* 

Chap.  IX,    sect.  1.    '  Lest  any  should  say 
we  are  equivocal  in  our  expressions,   and  alJe>. 
gorize   away   Christ's   appearance   in  the   flesh; 
meaning  only  thereby  our  own  flesh,  and  that  as 
often  as  we  mention  him,  we  mean  only  a  mys- 
tery, or  a  mystical  sense  of  him,  be  it  as  to  his 
coming,  birth,  miracles,  sufferings,  death,  resur- 
rection, ascension,  mediation,  and  judgment  •  I 
would  add,  to  preserve  the  well-disposed  from 
being  staggered  by  such  suggestions,  and  to  inform 
and  reclaim  such  as  are  under  the  power  of  pre- 
judice, that  we  do  (we  bless  God)  religiously  be- 
lieve and  confess,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father, 
and  the  honour  of  his  dear  and  beloved  Son,  that 
Jesus  Christ  t«ok  our  nature  iipo»  him^  and  wa» 


M 


I 


i-. 


*■'■      iv 


14 

made  like  imto  us  in  all  things,  sin  excepted ;  that 
he  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary;  suflFered  under 
Pontius  Pilate,  the  Roman  governor;  was  cruci- 
fied, dead,  and  buried  in  the  sepulchre  of  Joseph 
of  Ariinathea ;  rose  again  the  third  day,  and 
ascended  into  heaven,  and  sits  on  the  right  hand 
of  God,  in  the  power  and  majesty  «f  his  Father, 
^vho  will  one  day  judge  the  world  by  him,  even 
that  blessed  man  Christ  Jesus,  according  to  their 
works.' 

In  a  publication,  entitled  '  A  Testimony  to  the 
Truth  of  God/  William  Penn  again  explains 
liiniself  on  this  subject. 

*  Because  ^e  press  the  necessity  of  people's 
receiving  the  inward  and  spiritual  appearance  of 
the  divine  Word,  in  order  to  a  right  and  beneficial 
application  of  whatsoever  he  (Christ)  did  for  man, 
^ith  respect  to  his  life,  miracles,  death,  suffer- 
ings, resurrection,  ascension,  and  mediation,  our 
adversaries  would  have  us  deny  any  Christ  with- 
out us;   first,    as  to  his  Divinity,  because  they 
make  us  to  confine  him  within  us ;  secondly,  as 
to  his  humanity,  or  manhood,  because,  as  he  was 
the  son  of  Abraham,  David,  and  Mary,  according 
to  the  flesh,  he  cannot  be  in  us ;  and  therefore 
we  are  heretics  and  blasphemers.     Whereas  we 


k 


15 

believe  him,  according  to  Scripture,  to  be  the 
son  of  Abraham,  David,  and  Mary,  after  the  flesh; 
and  also,  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever.* 

In   the   year   1692,   William   Penn  published 
'  A  Key  opening  the  Way  to  distinguish  between 
the  Quakers  Religion  and  Perversions  of  it;'  in 
which,  in  answer  to  the  charge,  that  '  the  Qua- 
kers deny  the  Trinity,'  he  replies  thus  :  '  Nothing 
less.     They  believe  in  the  Holy  Three,  or  1  Vi- 
nity  of  Father,  Word,  and  Spirit,  according  to 
Scripture,  and  that  these  three  are  truly  and  pro- 
perly one ;  of  one  nature  as  well  as  will :  but 
they  are  very  tender  of  quitting  Scripture  terms 
and  phrases  for  Schoolmen's,  such  as  distinct  and 
separate    persons    and    subsistences,   8ic.    from 
whence  people  are  apt  to  entertain  gross  ideas 
and  notions  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.' 

Robert  Barclay y  the  apologist,  published  in 
the  year  1673,  '  A  Catechism  and  Confession  of 
Faith;'  in  which  he  treats  fully  of  those  points  of 
Christian  doctrine  here  set  forth.  I  shall  extract 
the  4th,  5th,  6th,  and  7th  articles,  which  are,  as 
well  as  the  rest,  expressed  nearly  in  the  words  of 
Scripture,  that  they  may  be  the  less  liable  to 
objection. 

B  2 


V\\ 


;<  ;•,' 


f1 


p 

r 


iS 

■«  Article  4ili.      Concerning   the   Divinity  of 
Christ,  and  his  being  from  the  beginning.* 

Vin  the  begirrnhig  >vas  the  Word,  and  the  Word 
iras  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God;  the  same 
was  in  the  beginning  with  God ;   all  things  were 
made  by  him,  and  without  him  was  not  any  thing 
made  that  was  made;  whose  goings  forth  have 
been  from  of  old,  from  everlasting.     For  God 
created  all  things  by  Jesus  Christ,  who  being  in 
the  form  of  God,  thought  it  no  robbery  to  be 
equal  with  Gcd.     And  his  name  is  called  Woa- 
derful,   Counseller,  the  Mighty  God,  the  Ever- 
lasting Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace,  who  is  the 
image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  first  born  of  every 
creature.' 

*  Article  5th.     Concerning  his  appearance  in 
the  flesh.' 

'  The  Word  was  made  flesh ;  for  he  took  not 
on  him  the  nature  of  angels,  but  he  took  on  him 
the  seed  of  Abraham,  being  in  all  things  made 
like  unto  his  brethren  ;  touched  with  a  feeling  of 
our  infirmities,  and  in  all  things  tempted  like  as 
we  are,  yet  without  sin.  He  died  for  our  sins, 
according  to  the  Scriptures,  and  he  was  buried, 
and  he  rose  again  the  third  diiv,  according  to  the 
Scriptures.' 


f\' 


17 

*  Article  Gth.  Concerning  the  end  and  use  of 
that  appearance.' 

*  God  sent  his  own  Son  in  the  likeness  of  sin- 
ful riesh ;  and,  for  sin,  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh. 
For  this  purpose  was  the  Son  of  God  manifested, 
that  he  might  destroy  the  w  orks  of  the  devil ;  be- 
ing manifested  to  take  away  our  sins.  P'or  he 
gave  himself  for  us,  an  offering  and  sacrifice  to 
God,  for  a  sweet  smelling  savour,  having  obtaii>ed 
eternal  redemption  for  us ;  and  through  the  eter- 
nal Spirit,  offered  himself  without  sj>ot  unto 
God,  to  purge  our  consciences  from  dead  works, 
to  serve  the  living  God.  He  was  the  Lamb  slain 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  Of  him  the 
fathers  did  all  drink,  for  they  drank  of  that  spiri- 
tual Rock  that  followed  them,  and  that  Kock 
was  Christ.  Christ  also  suft'ered  for  us,  leaving 
us  an  example,  that  we  should  follow  his  steps ; 
for  we  are  to  bear  about  in  the  body  the  d^ing  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  tliat  the  life  also  of  Jesus  might 
be  made  manifest  in  our  body;  being  always  de- 
livered unto  death  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  life 
also  of  Jesus  might  be  made  manifest  in  our  flesh ; 
that  we  may  know  him,  and  the  power  of  his 
resurrection,  being  made  conformable  unto  his 
death.* 

B  3 


M 


I 


18 

<  Article  7lb.     Concerning  the  inward  raani- 
ffcstatiou  of  Christ.' 

<  God  dwelleth  with  the  contrite  antl  humble 
5n  spirit;  for  he  hath  said,  lie  will  dwell  in  them, 
and  walk  in  them  ;  and  Christ  standeth  at  the 
door  and  knocketh:  if  any  man  hear  his  voice, 
and  open  the  door,  he  will  come  into  him,  sup 
Mith  him,  and   he  with  Him.     Therefore  ought 
^ve  to  examine  our  ownselves,  knowing  how  that 
Christ  is  in  us,  except  we  are  reprobates.     For 
this  is  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  the  mystery,  which 
God   would  make    known   among   the  Gentiles, 
Christ  witliin,  the  hope  of  glory.' 

In  the  conclusion  of  this  publication,  R.  B. 
shows  the  errors  of  various  religious  denomiua- 
tions,  a«d  speaking  of  the  Sociiiians,  he  manifests 
clearly  his  disapprobation  of  their  denial  of  the 
Divinity  of  Christ.— His  words  are,  *  Among  the 
Protestants,   I  know  the  Soclnians  are  great  pre- 
tenders to  the  Scriptures,  and  in  words  as  much 
exalt  them  as  any   other  people  ;  and   yet  it  is 
strange  to  see  how,  that  not  only  in  many  things 
they  are  not  agreeable  to  them,  but  in  some  of 
their  chief  pruiciples  quite  contrary ;  as  in  their 
flcnying  the  Divniitv  of  Christ,  which  is  as  ex- 
presslv  mentioned  as  any  thing  can  be :  And  the 
u^ord  'zi-as  God,  John  U  as  also  in  denying  his 


19 

being  from  the  beginning,  against  the  ver>^  tenor 
of  that  of  John  1 .  and  divers  others,  as  at  lar«  e  is 
shewn  in  the  third  chapter  of  this  treatise. 

In  his  Apology,  when  treating  on  the  light  or 
Spirit  of  Christ,  Prop.  v.  and  vi.  S.  lo.  he  ex- 
presses himself  thus:  *  We  do  not  hereby  intend 
any  way  to  lessen  or  derogate  from  the  atonement 
and  sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  on  the  contrary 
do  magnify  and  exalt  it.     For  as  we  believe  all 
these   things    to   have    been    certainly   transacted 
which  are  recorded   in  the  Holy  Scriptures  con- 
cerning the  birth,  life,  miracles,  suft'erings,  resur- 
rection, and  ascension  of  Christ ;  so  we  do  also 
believe,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  one  to  believe 
it,  to  whom  it  pleases  God  to  reveal   the  san)e, 
and  to  bring  them  to  the  knowledge  of  it.     As 
we  firmly   believe   it   was  necessary,   that  Christ 
should  come,  that  bv  his  death  and  sufferinsfs  he 
niiiiht  offer  himself  up  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  our  shis, 
^^l)o  his  ownself  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on 
the   tree,    so    we    believe    that  the  remission   of 
sins  which  any  partake  of,  is  only  in  and  by  virtue 
of  that  most  satisfactory  sacrifice,  and  no  other- 
wise ;  for  it  is  ly  the  obedience  of  one  that  the 
free  gift  is  come  upon  all  to  justification.' 

After  the  foregoing  quotations   from  the  writ- 
ings of  our  ancient  Friends,  I  shall  give  a  fow 


20 

extracts  from  our  later  Nvrlters,  to  manifest  that 
U.e  principles  of  the  Society  have  undergone  uo 
change  in  this  important  subject. 

In  the  year  1723,  Thomas  Beaten  published 
'  An  Essay  concerning  the  Restoration  of  pri- 
mitive Christianity.'  In  chap.  2d,  he  thus  ex- 
presses  himself: 

'  God  did,  upon  the  fall  and  disobedience  of 
man,  inform  him  of  a   Saviour,   as   is  generally 
understood   by    these  words,   viz.     "  1  will    put 
enmity  between  thee  (the  serpent)  and  the  woman, 
and  between  thy  seed  and  her  seed.    It  shall  bruise 
thy  head."     Which  seed,  here  called  the  seed  of 
the  woman,  (because,  as  concerning  the  flesh  in 
the  fulness  of  time,   Christ  was  to  be  born  of  a 
woman)  did  doubtless  then  exist,   when  this  pro- 
mise was  made,  and  had  done  so,  as  to  his  Di- 
vinity, from  eternity.' 

«  In  due  time  this  seed  took  flesh  in  the  womb 
of  the  virgin  Mary,  according  to  the  Scripture; 
-nas  born  in  Bethlehem  in  the  land  of  Judea ;  did 
many  mighty  miracles  among  live  Jews,  to  con- 
vince them  that  he  was  the  promised  Messiah^ 
whose  coming  they  were  then  in  fidl  expectation 
ef  J  lived  a  most  exemplary  life ;  tauj^ht  a  most 


«y 


excellent  and  heavenly  doctrine,  recorded  bv  the 
four  evangelists;  submitted  to  the  shameful  death 
of  the  cross,  to  make  atonement  and  propitiation 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.  He  was  buried, 
anvl  on  the  third  day  rose  again  from  the  dead, 
according  to  the  Scriptures;  and  Avas  conversant 
with  his  d'  iciples  about  forty  days,  concerning  the 
things  of  jod,  and  the  great  work  he  had  for 
them  to  do  in  this  world.  Then  he  was  taken  up 
into  heaven ;  and  set  at  the  right  hand  of  God  the 
Father,  where  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession 
for  them  that  eome  unto  God  by  him  ;  by  whom 
God  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness,  in  the 
day  he  hath  appointed,  when  all  that  are  in  the 
graves  shall  hear  his  voice,  and  shall  come  forth, 
they  that  have  done  good  lujto  the  resurrection  of 
life,  aixi  they  that  have  done  evil,  to  the  resurrec-" 
tion  of  condemnation/ 

In  the  years  1730,  1731,  and  1732,  Alexander 
jfrscott  published,  in  three  paits,  '  Considerations 
of  the  present  State  of  tlie  Christian  Religion/ 
fix)m  which  the  following  extract  is  made : 

'  Christ,  the  author  of  the  Christian  Religion, 
is  to  be  considered  under  a  two-fold  character  ;^ 
as  man,  who  was  born  of  the  virgin  Mary,  suf- 
fered under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified;  dead. 


!.:l 


■*  i 


tM 


£2 

ana  buried ;  and,  as  God,  in  which  sense  he  was  in 
the  beginning,  before  all  worlds,  and  is  called  m 
Scripture,  Uie  Word,  the  Wisdom,  and  Power  ot 
God.  In  the  first  sense  he  was,  and  is,  outward; 
in  the  last,  he  fills  all  things,  and  is  present  every 
>vhere  ;  more  especially,  considered  in  that  rela- 
tion he  bears  to  mankind,  as  their  Saviour  and 
sanctifier,  is  present  in  the  hearts  of  men,  to 
quicken  and  enlighten  them  for  their  assistance 
in  the  work  of  repentance,  conversion,  sanctiiicar 
tion,  regeneration,  and  complete  salvation/ 

'  And  as  what  Christ  did  and  suffered  for  man- 
kind,  was  necessary,  by  the  appointment  of  God 
the  Father,  for  their  reconciliation  to  him,  not- 
withstanding  their  sins  and  trespasses  against  him; 
so  his  presence  with  them  and  hi  them,  is  as  ne- 
cessary  for  their   overcoming  sin,   and   bringmg 
them  into  a  state  of  holiness  and  acceptance  with 
him ;  and  this  last  is  as  truly  a  part  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion  as  the  first ;  and  both  taken  together, 
make  up  the  whole  entire  Christian  religion ;  and 
therefore  when  we  speak  or  write  of  it,  we  mean 
that  religion  which  has  relation  to  Christ  in  both 
the  senses,  or  else  we  do  not  take  in  the  whole 
idea  of  it,  but  a  part  only.* 

In  the  year  1773,  Joseph  Phipps  was  engaged 
iu  a  controversy  with  a  person,  who  had  attacked 


23 

llie  principles  of  the  society;  and  in  a  publication 
entitled,  *  The  Original  and  Present  State  of 
Man,'  &c.  he  draws  a  comparison  betwixt  the 
miracles  attending  the  introduction  of  the  le^al, 
and  those  of  the  Christian  dispensation.  After 
speaking  of  the  former,  he  proceeds  thus  : 

*  Accordingly  the  gracious  dispensation  of  the 
gospel  was  introduced  by  evidences  of  divine  au- 
thority equally  extraordinary,  and  equally  suited 
to  its  placid  and  salutary  nature/ 

'  Besides  the  numerous  predictions  of  the  pro- 
phets concerning  the  Messiah,  the  advent  of  his 
forerunner  the  Baptist,  and  the  miraculous  con- 
ception  of  our  Saviour   by    the    blessed   virgin, 
witness  the  many  wonderful  works  he  performed, 
the  unaccountable  darkness,   and  the  rendino-  of 
the  veil  of  the  temple  throughout,  from  top  to 
bottom,  at  his  giving  up  the  ghost ;  his  astonishing 
resurrection,    and   that   of  the   bodies   of   buried 
saints,  which  arose  and  went  into  the  city ;  and 
his  visible  ascension,   attended  with  the  glorious 
ministration  of  angels.     After  all  this,  at  the  time 
of  the  Jewish  feast  of  Pentecost,  the  apostles  and 
disciples  being  assembled  together,  according  to 
the  Lord's  command,  the  Holy  Ghost  gave  a  two* 
fold  demonstration  of  its  advent;   first,  by  the 


»i .  ♦^ 


«, 

I'' 


I. 


"1  iJ 


■S4 

appearance  of  cloven  tongues,  as  of  fire,  uliieli 
sat  upon  each  of  them;   second,  by  filling  then- 
hearts  vMth  the  Holy  Ghost,  to   such  a  degree 
that  they  began  to  speak  xvilh  other  tongues,  or 
in  other  languages  besides  their  own,  as  the  Spuit 
cave  them  utterance.     To  divers  of  them  were 
likewise  added,  the  miraculous  powers  ot  heahng 
all  manner  of  diseases;  the  dumb  were  made  to 
speak,   the  deaf  to  hear,  the  lame  to  walk,   the 
blind  to  see;  demoniacs  were  dispossessed,  and 
the  dead  were  raised  and  restored  to  life/ 

I  shall  now  add  a  few  testimonies  from  the 
Society  more  at  large,  in  order  to  show  that  we 
speak  the  same  thing,  both  collectively  and  sepa- 
rately.  Hie  first  is  from  a  paper,  entitled  '  The 
Quakers  Vindication,'  which  was  presented  to 
the  Members  of  Parliament  in  1693;  and  which 
contains  Uie  principles  of  the  Society  at  this 
day. 

*  We  whose  names  are  underwritten,  being  m 
Christian  Society  with  the  people  called  Quakers, 
do,  in  good  conscience,  declare,  and  certify  all  per- 
sons concerned : 

«  1st.    That  we  sincerely  believe  and  confess, 
that  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  was  born  of  tkc 


25 

Virgin  Mary,  is  the  true  Messiali,  the  ver/ 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God,  to  whom  all 
the  prophets  gave  witness.  And  we  do  highly 
value  his  death,  sufferings,  works,  offices,  and 
merits,  for  the  redemption  and  salvation  of  man- 
kind, together  with  his  laws,  doctrines,  and  mi- 
nistry. 

*  2.  That  this  very  Christ  of  God  was  and  is 
tjie  Son  of  God,  that  takes  away  the  sins  of  tii.e 
world ;  who  was  slain  and  is  alive,  and  lives  for 
evermore,  in  his  divine,  eternal  glory,  domiuion, 
;jnd  power,  with  the  Father.. 

^  And  we  know  of  no  other  doctrine  or  prin- 
ciples preached,  maintained,  or  ever  received 
among  or  by  us,  since  we  were  a  people,  con- 
trary to  these  aforesaid. 

*  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  said  people  by 
thirty-one  Friends.' 

The  following  are  some  advices,  which  were 
issued  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London,  in 
17-8  and  1732.  There  are  several  otliers  from 
the  said  meeting,  of  the  same  tendency. 

1728.  '  Inasmuch  as  the  Holy  Scriptures 
are  the  external  means  of  conveying  and  preserv- 
ing t«  iis^  ajLi  aqcQUOt  of  the  things  mo^t  surely  to  be 

c 


1 


\  *^ 


t-: 


26 

believed,  concemhig  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  the  flesh,  and  the  fulhlliiig  of  the 
prophecies  relating  thereto;  we  therefore  recom- 
mend to  all  IViends,  especially  elders  in  the 
church  and  masters  of  families,  that  tli^y  would, 
both  by  example  and  advice,  impress  on  the 
minds  of  the  younger,  a  reverent  esteem  of  those 
sacred  writings,  and  advise  them  to  a  frequent 
reading  and  meditating  therein ;  and  that  you 
-would,  at  proper  seasons,  give  the  youth  to  un- 
:derstand,  that  the  same  good  experience  of  the 
work  of  sanctification,  through  the  operation  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  which  the  Holy  Scriptures 
plentifully  bear  testimony  to,  is  to  be  witnessed 
by  believers  in  all  generations,  as  well  as  by  those 
in  the  first  ages  of  Christianity.  And  this  we  re- 
commend as  the  most  effectual  means  of  begetting 
and  establishing  in  their  minds  a  firm  belief  of  the 
Christian  doctrine  in  general,  as  well  as  the  neces- 
sity of  the  help  of  the  opeiations  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  God  in  the  hearts  of  men  in  particular, 
contaiiied  in  that  most  excellent  book  the  Bible ; 
and  for  preserving  tliem  from  being  defiled  with 
the  many  pernicious  notions  and  principles,  con- 
trary to  such  sound  doctrine,  which  are  at  this 
time  industriously  dispersed  in  the  nation,  to  the 
reproach  of  the  Christian  profession  in  general.' 


27 

In    1732.     '  Bear  friends,   we    tenderly  and 
earnestly  advise  and  exhort  all  parents  and  masters 
of  families,  that  lliey  exert  themselves  in  the  v\  is- 
dom  of  God,  and  in  the  strength  of  his  love,  to 
instruct  their  children  and  families  iu  the  doctrines 
and  precrnts  of  the  Christian  religion,  contained 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures;  and  that  they  excite  Uiem 
to  the  diligent  reading  of  those  sacred  writings ; 
which  plainly  set  forth  the  miraculous  conception, 
birth,  holy  life,  wonderful  work^,  blessed  exam- 
ple, meritorious  death,  and  glorious  resurrection, 
ascension,  and  mediation  of  our  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour Jesus  Christ ;   and  to  educate  their  children 
in  the  belief  of  those  important  truths,  as  well  as 
in  the  belief  of  the  inward  manifestation  and  opera- 
tion of  the  Spirit  of  God  upon  their  own  minds ; 
that   they  may    reap  the  benefit   and  advantage 
thereof,  for  their  own  peace  and  everlasting  hap- 
pmess,    which   is    preferable  to   all  other  consi- 
derations.     We   therefore   exhort    in    the   most 
earnest  manner,  that  all  be  very  careful  in  this 
respect,  a  neglect  herein  beuig  in  our  judgment 
very  blame-worthy.' 

A  publication  was  lately  issued  by  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  ;  m  hich  meeting 
is  composed  of  Friends  appointed  by  all  the 
Quarterly  Meetings  in  the  kingdom.     The  book. 

c  2 


£8 


IS  entitled, '  A  Summary  of  the  History,  Doctrine, 
and  Discipline  of  Friends/  In  this  work  are  tht 
following  passages : 

i 

*  We  agree  with  other  professors  of  the 
Christian  name,  in  the  belief  of  One  Eternal  God, 
the  Creator  and  Preserver  of  the  Universe ;  and 
in  Jesus  Christ  his  Son,  the  Messiah  and  Media- 
tor of  the  new  covenant.' 

'  When  we  speak  of  the  gracious  display  of 
the  love  of  God  to  mankind,  in  the  miraculous 
conception,  birth,  life,  miracles,  death,  resurrec- 
'tion,  and  ascensifin  of  our  Saviour,  we  prefer  the 
j^ise  of  such  terms  as  we  fnid  in  Scripture;  and, 
contented  ^  ith  that  knowledge  which  divine  wis- 
dom has  seen  meet  to  reveal,  we  attempt  not  to 
explain  those  mysteries  which  remain  under  the 
veil;  nevertheless  we  acknowledge  and  assert  the 
Divinity  of  Christ,  who  is  the  wisdom  and  power 
of  Ggd  unto  salvMion/ 

To  the  preceding  written  testimonies  of  this 
people,  on  their  faith  in  our  Lord  and  Saviour, 
Jesus  Christ,  it  may  be  proper  to  add  a  few  from 
the  dying  expressions  of  persons,  who  were  mem- 
Ijers  of  the  Society. 

John  AVoolman,  of  New  Jersey  in  America, 
vhp  has  rendered  his  name  famous  as  a  friend  to 


the  African  race  and  an  enemy  to  slaverj',  visited 
England  in  the  year  1772,  and  died  at  York  of 
the  small  pox*.  Among  many  religious  obser- 
vations made  by  him,  during  his  illness,  he  ex- 
pressed himself  thus,  about  two  days  before  his 
decease :  '  My  dependence  is  on  the  Lord  Jesus, 
who  I  trust  will  forgive  my  sins,  which  is  all  I 
hope  for;  and  if  it  be  his  will  to  raise  up  this 
body  again  I  am  content,  and  if  to  die,  I  am 
resigned.* 

Sarah  Grubb,  wife  of  Robert  Grubb  of 
Clonmell,    in    Ireland,   died   in   1790.      Having 
lately  returned  from  a  journey  on  the  continent 
of  Europe,  she  wrote  thus  to  a  friend,  four  days 
before  her  decease  :    '  My  soul,  though  encomr 
passed  with  the  manifold  infirmities  of  a  very 
afflicted  tabernacle,   can  feelingly  worship,   and 
rejoice  in  nothing  more  than  this,  that  the  Lamb  im-* 
maculate  is  still  redeeming,  by  his  precious  blood, 
out  of  every  nation,  kindred,  tongue,  and  people; 
and  making  a  glorious  addition  to  the  church  tri- 
umphant, whose  names  will  stand  eternally  re- 
corded in  the  book  of  life.     I  express  not  these 
things  from  a  redundancy  of  heavenly  virtue,  but 
from  the  soul  sustaining  evidence,  that  amidst  all 

•  See  an  account  of  him  in  Clarkson's  History  of  the 
Abolition  of  the  Slave  Trade. 


\A 


30 

our  weakness  and  conflicts  of  flesh  or  spirit,  an  in- 
terest is  mercifully  granted  in  lliniy  \\\\o  givelh 
victory  over  death,  liell,  and  the  grave.' 

Job  Thomas,  of  Wales,  died  in  the  year 
1807.  He  had  been  about  10  years  affected  with 
a  disorder  in  the  spine,  brought  on  by  a  fall.  His 
pains  were  often  excruciating;  but  he  bore  them 
with  remarkable  patience.  On  the  day  of  his 
death  he  expressed  himself  thus :  ^  The  blessed 
hour  is  approaching,  and  before  the  close  of  this 
day,  I  shall  safely  arrive  where  there  is  neither 
toil  nor  trouble.  Sorrow  not  for  me;  I  have 
bope  in  his  mercy  who  has  washed  me  in  that 
fountain  which  is  set  open  for  the  house  of  David 
and  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  ;  not  throui;h 
mine  own  righteousness,  but  through  tlie  righ- 
teousness of  the  crucified  Immanuel,  who  died 
for  the  sins  of  all  mankind.  I  am  going  to  end- 
less joys;  there  I  shall  have  to  praise  him,  who 
enabled  me  patiently  to  endure  the  inexpressible 
pain  wherewith  this  poor  body  has  been  afflicted/ 

I  shall  conclude  these  quotations  and  refe- 
rences with  tlie  following  Hymn,  which  was  writ- 
ten about  the  year  1740,  by  Elijah  Waring,  of 
Wiiuey,  ni  Oxfordshire,  a  minister  in  our  Society. 
It  is  entitled. 


31 


iyivine  Lote  commemoratea. 

Who  can  fathom  the  redeemin» 

Act  of  universal  love? 
Human  thought,  though  ever  teeming, 

Yet  will  insufficient  prove. 

Jloly  Angels,  ever  lauding 

Of  the  great  and  wond'rons  scheme; 
Seraphs,  hymning  and  applauding, 

Never  can  exhaust  the  theme. 

Oh  the  height  and  depth  surprising! 

Oh  the  length  and  breadth,  how  grca^  * 
Generations,  past  and  rising, 

Will  the  bliss  parUcipate. 

Sure  the  Father's  love  was  burning, 
To  poor  lost  and  helpless  man. 

Anxious  for  his  safe  returning, 
Laid  the  mediatorial  plan. 

Nor  less  was, our  Saviour's  merit, 

Who  severe  obedience  paid ; 
Died  t'  obtain  the  Holy  Spirit, 

For  his  creature's  helj)  and  aid. 

Now  above  makes  intercession. 

That  the  penitential  mind, 
Who  makes  unreserv'd  confession. 

And  reforms,  may  pardon  find. 

Wretched  man !  if  such  caressing 
Work  not  on  thy  brutal  heart ; 

If  thou  spurn'st  the  heavenly  blef 
Thou  in  it  wilt  have  no  part. 


% 


n 


■'0 


Blame  thy  conduct,  charge  not  heaven i 
On  thy  head  thy  blood  will  lie. 

Ev'ry  help  to  thee  is  given, 
Suiting  man's  free  agency. 

Do  not,  for  a  moment's  pleasure. 
Forfeit  this,  thy  dear  bought  right. 

To  the  joy  and  endless  treasure, 
That  the  gospel  brought  to  hght. 

Use  thy  reason  ;  grace  assisting 

Ev'ry  facnlty  within ; 
Thou  shalt  know  a  brave  resisting, 

All  the  deadly  pow'rs  of  sin. 

Taste  religion's  chaste  embraces ; 

Faith  with  genuine  works  adorn; 
"Virtue  has  eternal  graces. 

Fresh  and  blooming  ev'ry  mom. 

All  her  joy's  beyond  expressing  ; 

Peace,  that  yields  a  golden  crop  ; 
She's  in  life  the  greatest  blessing, 

And,  in  death,  the  grateful  drop. 

Wing  thy  sonl,  and  qualify  her 
For  the  converse  held  above  ; 

Dip  thy  tongue,  and  join  the  choir, 
In  melodious  strains  of  love. 

Utterly  disclaiming  merit. 
Praise  the  Father  and  the  Sod, 

Jointly  with  the  Holy  Spirit ; 
An  eternal  Three  in  One. 


SELECT  PASSAGES 


FROM    THE 


HOLY  SCRIPTURES; 


CONTAINING    A   SUMMARY    OF 


RELIGIOUS  AND  MORAL  INSTRUCTIOX. 


rnOPER  TO    BE   COMMITTED   TO    MEMORY 


By  YOL'NG  persons. 


CompUcd  hij  HESRV  TUKE. 


Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go.     /Vor.  xxii.  6, 


THIRD  KDITION. 


YORK: 

PRINTED  FOR  W.   ALEXANDER,    AND   SOLD    BY    HIM 
SOLD    ALSO    DY    DAUTON,    HARVEY,    AND   CO.; 
VV.  PHILLIPS;    W.  DARTON,  JUN.  ;   AND 
LONGMAN   AND   CO.    LONDON. 


Printed  by  C.  Peacoci,  York, 


1814. 


PREFACE. 


QEtitejeo  at  ^tationenai'  I^alt 


1  HE  propriety  of  early  impressing  tlie  human  mind  wiiU 
religious  and  moral  truths,  is  so  generally  admitted,  as  to 
render  it  unnecessary  to  say  much  on  the  subject ;  and 
though  an  immediate  benefit  may  not  always  arise  from 
committing  these  truths  to  memory,  yet  it  may  be  com- 
pared to  the  sowing  of  seed,  wliich  is  expected  to  produce 
fruit  at  a  future  season  ;  or,  to  use  a  scripture  metaphor,  to 
casting  bread  upon  the  waters,  which  will  be  found  after 
Ejany  days. 

Tlie  compiler  of  thfs  work  is  aware  of  some  advantngcp, 
which  arise  from  the  catechetical  mode  of  instruction  above 
that  which  is  here  used  ;  but  several  considerations  have 
induced  him  to  adopt  a  simple  declaration  from  the  hii:h 
authority  of  tlie  Holy  Scriptures.  These  declaration^  are 
not  likely  to  be  controverted  by  Christians,  and  those  given 
in  this  work  are  generally,  if  not  wholly,  such  whose  meaning 
is  simple  and  obvious.  Besides,  questious  should  be  put  by 
persons  in  some  degree  competent  to  explain  the  subject, 
r.ud  whose  principles  and  ciinduct  are  not  inconsistent  with 
it.  This  is  not  always  the  case  with  parents  uiid  otliers  who 
liave  the  education  of  children,  and  who,  notwithstanding 
Iheir  own  defects,  may  be  desirous  tliat  the  yuuth  under 

A  2 


W 
^ 


IV 


PREFACE. 


their  care  should  be  properly  instructed.  Some  parents  also 
are  so  diffident  of  tlieir  own  qualifications,  as  to  shrink  from 
the  mode  of  instruction  by  question  and  answer ;  and  there 
are  some  children,  to  wJiom  a  more  direct  mode  of  instruction 
is  better  adapted.  From  these  considerations,  the  compiler 
1ms  been  induced  to  adopt  this  mode  of  conveying  instruction; 
but  lie,  by  no  means,  wishes  to  discourage  the  other  by 
question  ?nd  answer,  which,  when  properly  conveyed,  must, 
lie  conceives,  in  general,  leave  a  more  lasting  impression  on 
the  youthful  mind. 

in  composing  this  work,  care  has  been  taken  to  select  such 
.passages  as  appeared  most  appropriate  to  the  subject,  though 
in  the  large  choice  which  the  scriptures  afford,  the  selection 
has  sometimes  been  difficult.  In  a  very  few  instances  it  has 
heen  thought  proper,  for  the  sake  of  perspicuity,  to  deviate  a 
little  from  the  words  of  the  text;  but  these  instances  are  very 
few,  and,  in  no  case,  has  the  sense  been  intentionally  altered, 
or  the  passage  appUed  cuutrary  to  its  original  meaning. 


PREFACE.  V 

through  the  uhole,  as  much  as  the  diHerent  subjects  would 
permit.  The  division  into  short  Chapters,  with  the 
sentences  numbered,  it  is  supposed,  will  make  it  more  easy 
to  remember  the  passages  contained  in  this  compilation. 

But  though  the  committing  of  eoeh  sentence  to  memory, 
is  the  design  of  the  compiler,  yet  there  may  be  some  children, 
to  whom  this  would  be  so  difficult,  as  to  form  special  cases 
of  exception  to  the  general  plan.  With  regard  to  such 
children,  a  frequent  and  attentive  perusal  may  best  acconn 
plish  the  object  of  the  work ;  which  is,  to  instil  into  the 
youthful  mind  feelings  of  piety  towards  God,  and  of  benevo<' 
lence  towards  man ;  and  to  inculcate  the  practice  of  those 
virtues  which  make  us  useful  and  respectable  in  this  life,  and 
fit  us  for  an  inheritance  hereafter  "  among  all  them  who  are 
lanctified." 

A   5 


I 


It  will  probably  be  noticed,  that  a  gradation  is  generally 
observed  in  treating  tlie  different  subjects:  for  instance,  in 
Chapter  I.  after  the  existence  of  God,  and  the  creation  of  all 
things  by  Uim,  his  uuity,  spirituaUty,  eternity,  and  other 
attributes  are  pointed  out  ;  and  a  similar  order  is  observed 


CONTENTS. 


Preface. 
Cbapter  1.)  Conceruioff  Gad. 

ConcerniDg  Christ. 


3.1 

d. 
6. 
7. 


18. 
19. 

20. 


Coocerning  the  Holy  Spirit. 
CoDcerning  the  Sciiptnres. 
Concerning  a  ftitnrc  State  with  R^ 
ward*  and  Puoislimeiitt. 

Rt^ligioos  Principles  and  Di^tiff. 


Moral  Principles  and  Dutief, 

Precepts  peculiar  to  Yonng  Perso'iBu 
Enconragements  to  UeligioD  ai)^ 

Virtne. 
Tlie  Ten  Commandmcotf^ 
The  Beatitndes. 
The  Lord's  Prayer, 


SELECT  PASSAGES,  &e. 


<: 


CHAPTER  L 

CONCERNING    OOD. 

^*  He  tbat  created  all  things  is  God.  Heb.  iiii  4. 

2.  The  Loi-d  our  God' is  one  Lord.    Deut,  vi.  4. 

3.  God  is  a  Spirit.  John  iv.  24. 

4.  Before  the  mountains  were  brought  fortli,  or 
ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the'world; 
even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting^  thou  art  God. 

Psalm  xc.  2.. 

5.  The  work  of  GckI  is  perfect,  for  all  his  ways 
are  judgment;  a  God  of  truth  and  without  iniquity, 
just  and  right  is  He.  Deiit,  xxxii.  4. 

6.  Tlie  Lord  is  a  God  of  knowledge,  and  by 
him  actions  are  weighed.    -  1  Sam,  il.  3. 

7.  Am  I  a  God  at  hand,  saith  the  Lord,  and 
not  a  God  afar  off?  Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret 
places,  that  1  should  not  see  him  ?  Do  not  I  fill 
heaven  and  earth,  saith  the  Lord  ?  Jer.xxiii.23,£4« 

8.  The  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth.  ' 

Rev.  xix.  0» 
A  4 


8 


SELECT  PASSAGES  FROM 


9.  The  Lord  is  slow  to  anger,  and  great  in 
power,  and  will  not  at  all  acquit  the  wicked. 

Nahum  i.  3. 

10.  The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways,  and 
hoi}'  in  all  his  works.  Psalm  cxlv.  ]  7. 

]  1 .  "^riie  Lord  is  good  to  all,  and  his  tender 
mercies  are  over  all  his  works.  Psalm  cxlv.  9. 

12.  Thy  mercy,  O  Lord!  is  in  the  heavens,  and 
•thy  faithfulness  reacheth  unto  the  clouds;  thy 
righteousaess  is  like  the  great  mountains ;  thy 
judgments  are  a  great  deep.       Psalm  xxxvi.  5,  G. 


* 


♦the  holy  scripture??.  <} 

CHAPTER  IL 

THE    SAME    SUBJECT. 

.    1.  The  Most  High  rulelh  in  the  kingdom  of 
men,  aud  giveth  it  to  whomsoever  he  will. 

Dan.  iv.  17, 

2.  He  is  the  Governor  among  the  nations. 

Psalm  xxii.  28. 

3.  The  very  hairs  of  our  head  are  all  numbered 
l^y^^"^'}  Matt.  X.  30. 
^  4.  How  excellent  is  thy  loving  kindness,  O 
Cod!  therefore  the  children  of  men  put  their  trust 
under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings.      Psalm  xxxvi.  7. 

o.  O  Lord!  thou  pjeservest  man  and  beast.- 

Psalm  xxxvi.  6. 

6.  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised; 
and  his  greatness  is  unsearchable.     Psalm  cxlv.  3. 

7.  Canst  ihou  by  searching  iind  out  God?  Canst 
thou  find  out  the  Almighty  to  perfection?  Job  xi.  7. 

8.  O  die  depth  of  tlie  riches,  both  of  the  wis- 
dom and  knowledge  of  GoA :  how  unsearchabU 
are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out. 

Horn.  xi.  33. 

9.  Who  is  like  unto  thee,  O  Lord!  who  is  like 
thee ;  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in  praises,  doiuor 

'^^"^^"-  iviW.  XV. }  r. 

10.  Great  and  marvQllous  are  thy  xvorks,  I^rd, 
God  Almighty!  just  aud  true  are  thy  ways,  thou 
King  of  Saints !  j^,^.  ^^^  3^ 


1: 


I. 


10 


SELECT  PASSAGES  FRO^ 


*rHE  HOIT  5CEIPTURE9, 


ii 


CIUPTER  in. 

CONCERNING    CHRIST. 

1.  God,  who  at  sundry  times,  and  in  divers 
manners,  spake  in  time  past  unto  the  fathers  by 
the  prophets ;  hath  in  these  last  days  spoken  unto 
us  by. his  Son,  whom  he  hath  appointed  heir  of 
all  things  ;  by  whom  also  he  made  the  worlds. 

Heb:  i.  1,  2. 

C.  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only 
begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him 
should  uot  perisli,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

Johrt  iii.  \G, 

3.  His  name  is  called,  the  Word  of  God. 

Hev.  xix.  \3. 

4.  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the 
AVord  was  with  God,  and  xhe  word  was  Goii:  the 
same  was  in  the  beginning  with  God.    John  i.  1,2. 

5.  AH  things  were  made  by  him,  and  wiihont 
hiiu  v\as  not  any  thmg  made  that  was  made.  lu 
Imn  was  life,  uud  the  lite  was  the  light  of  men. 

John  i.  3,  4. 

6.  The  Word  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  anjong 
us,  and  we  beheld  his  glory,  the  glory  as  of  the 
only  begotteu  of  the  Father,,  full  of  grace  and 
truth.  John  i.  14. 

7.  As  by  one  man's  disobedience  many  were 
Siade  sinners,  so,  by  the  obedience  of  one,  shall 
msdi^  he  made  righteous.  lio^fn*  v.  19* 


8.  As  in  Adam  alt  ^aCj  even  so  in  Girist  shall 
.all  be  made  alive.  1  Cor.  xv.  22. 

9u  It  behooved  Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise 
from  the  dead  the  third  day ;  and  that  repentance 
and  remission  of  sins  should  be  preached  in  his 
name  among  all  nations.  Luke  xxiv.  40,  47- 

10.  When  he  ascended  up  o»  high,  he  led  cap- 
tivity captive,  and  gave  gifts  unto  men.  Ephes.  iv.  8, 

11.  To  this  end  Christ  both  died,  and  rose,  atid 
revived,  that  he  might  be  Lord  both  of  the  dead 
and  living.  Rom.  xiv.  9* 

12.  This  is  life  eternal i  to  know  thee,  the  only 
ttoiie  God^  and  J«&U9  Chfist  whom  thou  hast  sent. 

John  xvix.  Iff 


»«..-  .i- 


"1 


■j»  '"■.»■ 


a1 


v 


IS 


SELECT.  PASSAQES  FRCUI 


CHAPTER  IF, 


THE    SAM-E    SUBJECT. 


t 


1.  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  wortliy  of  all 
acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world 
to  save  sinners.  1  Tun.  i.  15. 

C.  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  to 
liiinself.  2  Cor.  y.  19. 

3.  For  this  purpose  the  Son  of  God  was  ma- 
nifested, that  he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the 
devil.  ,  /  1  Jofin  iii.  8. 

4.  Jesus  Christ  gave  himself  for  iis,  that  Ixj 
inight  redec^m  ns  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto 
himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works. 

Titus  n.  14. 

6.  There  is  one  Mediator  between  God  and 
men,  the  man  Christ  Jesus.  1  Tim.  ii.  5, 

6.  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous ;  and  he  is 
the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours 
only,  but  also  for  tlie  sins  of  the  whole  world. 

1  John  ii.  I,  C. 

7.  He  is  able  to  save  them  to  the  uttermost  that 
come  unto  God  by  him,  seeing  he  ever  liveth  to 
«iake  intercession  for  them.  Jhb.  vii.  Ci>. 


piE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES, 


1« 


8.  Such  a  High  Priest  became  us,  who  is  holy, 
harmless,  undctiled,  separate  from  sinners,  and 
made  higher  than  the  heavens.  Heb.  vii.  26. 

9.  Christ  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  himself 
for  us,  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a 
sweet  smelling  savour.  Ephes.  v.  2. 

10.  Unto  him  that  loved  us,  and  washed  us 
from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us 
Eings  and  Priests  unto  God;  to  Him  be  glory  and 
dominion  for  ever  and  ever.    Amen.    Rev.  i.  5, 6. 


■if 


J  i  ♦II 


14 


SELECT  PASSAGES  FROi» 


I 


CHAPTER  V. 

CONCERNING   THE    HOLY    SPIRIT/ 

i.  What  man  knovveth  the  things  of  a^  man, 
save  the  spirit  of  a  man  which  is  in  him  ?  even  so 
the  thmgs  of  God  knoweth  no  man,  but  the  Spirit 
ofGodr  1  Cor.  ii.  W. 

2.  We  have  received*  not  the  spirit  of  the 
world,  but  the  Spirit  which  is  of  God,  that  we 
might  know  the  thmgs  that  are  ffeely  given  to  us 

liV^God.  ^  <^«''-  "•  ^^• 

3.  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he 
is  none  of  his.  ^o/w.  viii.  g. 

4.  A  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  is  given  to 
every  man  to  profit  withaU  1  Cor.  xii.  ?• 

5.  As  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
-they  are  the  sons  of  God.  Uo^n,  viii.  14. 

6.  The  Spirit  helpeth  our  infinniiies. 

Rom.  viii*  26. 

7.  We  kaovv  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as 
we  ought,  but  the  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession 

for  u  J  ^^^''-  ^"»-  -^^• 

8.  God  hatli  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Sou 
into  our  hearts,  crying,  Abba,  Father.     GaL  iv.  6. 

9.  Walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfil  the 
lusts  of  the  tiesh.  Gfl/.  v.  lO. 

10.  The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace, 
long-suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meek- 
liesl,  temper^ance :  against  such  [things]  there  i^ 
^o  law.  Ca/.  V.  C<2,  23. 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

CUAVTER  VI. 


15 


CONCERNING   THE    SCR^PTURES. 

1.  The  holy  scriptures  are  able  to  make  wise 
unto  salvation,  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 

Jesus.  9,  Tim.  iii.  15. 

9,.  Whatsoever  things  were  written  afore-timc 
were  written  for  our  learnins:,  that  we,  through 
patience,  and  comfort  of  the  Scriptures,  might 
have  hope.  Rom.  xv.  4, 

3.  All  these  things  are  written  for  our  admo« 
nititw,  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world  are 
come.  1  ior.  x.  11* 

4.  Prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the  will 
of  man,  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were 
moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  2  Peter  i.  21. 

5.  All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for 
correction,  for  instruction  iu  righteousness. 

2  Tim.  iii.  Kj. 

6.  In  the  epistles  of  Paul  are  some  things  hard 
to  be  uuflerstood,  which  they  that  arc  unlearned 
and  unstable  wrest,  as  they  do  also  the  other 
scriptures,  to  their  own  destruction.    2  Peter  \\\.  1 6. 

7.  I'he  statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing 
the  h^art;  the  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true  and 


righteous  altogether. 


Psalm  xix.  8,  9* 


8.  Teach  me,  O  Lord  I  the  way  of  thy  statutes, 
and  I  shall  4eep  it  unto  tlie  end.     Paa/m  cxix.  33* 


I? 


SELECT   PASSAGES  FROM 


CHAPTER  VIL 

CONCERNING  A  FUTURE  STATE,  WITH  REWARDS 
AND    PUNISHMENTS. 

1.  The  dust  shall  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was, 
and  the  spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it. 

Eccks.  xii.  7. 

2.  God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment, 
with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or 
whether  it  be  evil.  Eccies.  xii.  14. 

3.  God  will  render  to  every  man  according  to 
bis  deeds.  Horn,  ii.  G. 

4.  To  them  who,  by  patient  continuance  iu 
well-doing;  seek  for  glory,  and  honour,  and  im- 
mortality, [will  be  given]  eternal  life;  but  unto 
them  that  are  contentious,  and  do  not  obey  the 
truth,  but  obey  unrighteousness  ;  —  indignation, 
and  wrath.  Rom,  ii.  7,  8. 

5.  This  corrruptlble  must  put  on  incorruption, 
and  this  mortal  must  put  on  inmiortalily. 

1  Cur,  XV.  53, 

6.  Life  and  immortality  arc  brouuht  to  li^ht 
through  the  gospel.  i  Tim,  i.  10. 

7.  We  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this 
tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of 

God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  etenial  iu 
the  heavens.  n  Qqj.^  y^  i^ 


^THE  HOLY  SCaiPTURE^. 


.17 


8.  Blessed  are  thev  that  do  his  commandments, 
that  they  may  have  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and 
may  enter  in  through  the  gates  into  the  city. 

Rev,  xxii.  14. 

9.  The  city  hath  no  need  of  the  sun,  neither  of 
the  moon,  to  shine  in  it ;  for  the  glory  of  God 
doth  lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereof. 

Rev,  xxi.  23. 

10.  There  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  it,  any 
thing  that  defileth,  that  worketh  abomination,  or 
maketh  a  lie ;  but  they  who  are  written  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life.  Rev,  xxi.  27* 


*l 


IS 


4ELECT  PASSAOES  FROU 


THE  HOLT  SCRIPTURES. 


IS 


■(. 

ft' 


CHAPTER  Fill. 

BELIGIOUS    PRINCIPLES   AND   DUTIES. 

1.  All  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory 
of  God.  Rom,  iii.  0,3, 

2.  If  we  say  that  we  have  not  sinned,  we  deceive 
ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.  1  John  i.  8, 10.. 

3-  Repent  ye  and  be  converted,  that  your  sins 
may  be  blotted  out.  Jvts  iii.  39« 

4.  Bring  forth  fruits  meet  for  repentance; 

Matt.  iii.  8. 

5.  If  we  confess  our  sins,  God  is  faithful  and 
just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from 
all  unrighteousness.  I  John  i.  Q. 

6.  Except  ye  be  converted,  and  become  as  little 
children,  ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.     '  Matt,  xviii.  3- 

7.  Not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we 
have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved 
us,  by  the  washing  of  regeneration,  and  renewing 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  he  shed  on  us  abun- 
dantly, through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour* 

Titus  iii.  5,  Q^ 

8«  Ye  are  washed,  ye  are  sanctified,  ye  are  jus- 
tified, in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the 
Spirit  of  our  God.  I  Cor.  vi.  Li* 


p.  The  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation 
hath  appeared  to  all  men ;  teaching  us,  that  deny- 
ing ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live 
fioberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present 
world.  Titus  il  I] y\2. 

10.  By  grace  ye  are  saved  through  faith ;  and  that 
not  of  yourselves ;  it  is  the  gift  of  God.   Ephes,  iu  B. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    SAME    SUBJECT. 

1.  Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  Gocft 

Heb.  xi.  6. 

5.  He  that  cometh  unto  God  must  believe  that  He 
is,  and  that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently 
seek  him.  Heb,  xi.  6. 

3.  Faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for, 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen.  Heb,  xi.  1. 

4.  The  just  shall  live  by  faith..  Rom.  i.  17- 

5.  This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye  believe  on 
him  whom  he  hath  sent.  J(^in  vi.  QQ. 

6.  Ye  are  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Gal,  iii.  26. 

7.  Faith  without  works  is  dead.      James  u.  ^ 

8.  Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thy  heart :  and 
lean  not  to  thy  own  understandmg.       Prov,  iii.  .5, 

9>  Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord, 
and  whose  hope  the  Lord  is.  Jer.  xvii.  7» 

10.  Trust  ye  in  the  Lord  for  ever ;  for  in  the 
J^rd  Jehovah  is  everlasting  strength.   /5ff,lxyL'4> 


20 


SELECT  PASSAGES  FROU 


THE  HOtY  SCRIPTURES. 


2'1-' 


'i 


I 


l!         \ 


CH.4PTER  X. 

THE    SAME    SUBJECT. 

1.  ^rhe  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of 
wisdom.  Psalm  cxi,  10. 

2.  Let  all  the  earth  fear  the  Lord ;  let  all  the 

inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in  awe  of  him. 

Psalm  xxxiii.  8. 

3.  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
might.  Deut.  vi.  5. 

4.  This  is  the  love  of  God,  that  we  keep  his 
commandments.  1  John  v.  3. 

5.  Watch   and   pray,   that  ye   enter   not   into 

temptation.  Matt.  xxvi.  41. 

0.  Be  ye  sober,  and  watch  unto  prayer. 

1  Peter  iv.  7. 

*  7.  O,  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his 
goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the 
children  of  men!  Psalm  cvii.  8. 

*  8.  Fear  God  and  give  glory  to  him,  for  the  hour 
of  his  judgments  is  come;  and  worship  Him  that 
made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea:  and  the  fountains 
of  water.  Eev.  xiv.  7. 

9-  Exalt  ye  the  Lord  our  God  and  worship  at 

his   footstool ;   not   forsaking    the  assembling   of 

yourselves  together,  as  the  manner  of  some  is.    • 
,  ..J  Psalm  xcix.  5.  Heb.  x.  25. 

10.  Blessing,  and  glory »  and  wisdom,  and  thanks- 

^ving,  and  honour,  and  power,  and  might,  be  unto 

our  God,  for  ever  and  ever.  Jiei\  vii.  IC* 


CHAPTER  XL 

MORAL   PRINCIPLES    AND    DLTIES. 

I.  All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men 
should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them. 

Matt.  vii.  12. 

^.  Thou  shalt  not  defraud  thy  neighbour,  neither 

^^^^'  Levit,  XIX,  IS. 

3.  Ye  shall  do  no  unrighteousness  in  weight,  or 
in  measure.  Levit.  xix.  65. 

4.  A  false  balance  is  abomination  to  the  Lord; 
but  a  just  weight  is  his  delight.  Prov.  xi.  1. 

5.  Ye  shall  not  steal,  neither  deal  falselv.  nei- 
ther  lie  one  to  another.  LevU.  xix.  11. 

6.  Neither  thieves  nor  extortioners  shall  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God.  i  Cor.  vi.  10. 

7.  Lying  lips  are  abomination  to  the  Lord;  but 
they  that  deal  truly  are  his  delight.    Prov.  xii.  22. 

8.  Put  away  lying,  and  speak  every  man  truth 
to  his  neighbour.  Ep/ies.  iv.  25. 

9.  What  shall  be  given  unto  thee,  or  what  shall 
be  done  imto  thee,  thou  false  tongue  ?  Ps.  cxx.  3. 

10.  All  liars  shall  have  their  part  in  the  lake 
which  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone ;  which  is 
the  second  death.  J^er.  xxi.  8.  • 


fL% 


SELECT  PASSAGES  FROM 


I. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   SAME    SUBJECT. 

1.  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself. 

Levit,  xix.  18. 

2.  Love  one  another  viitk  a  pure  heart  fer- 
vently. \  Peter  \.Q.<1. 

3.  Be  ye  merciful,  as  your  Father  also  is  merci- 
£y]^  Tuuke  vi.  36. 

4.  Have  compassion  one  of  another;  love  as 
bretliren,  be  pitiful,  be  courteous.     1  Peter  iii.  8. 

o.  Follow  peace  with  all  men,  and  holiness, 
without  which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord. 

]leb,  xii.  14.. 

6.  Be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender  hearted, 
forgiving  one  another;  even  as  God,  for  Christ's 
Bake,  hath  forgiven  you.  Ejyhes,  iv.  32. 

7.  If  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  nei- 
ther will  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven  forgive  yoiir 
trespasses.  Matt.  vi.  14. 

6.  Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor;  the 
Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble.  Ps.  xli.  1 . 

g.  To  do  good  and  to  communicate  forget  not; 
for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is  well  pleased. 

Ileb,  xiii.  10. 

10.  Use  hospitality  one  to  another  without 
grudging.  1  Peter  iv.  9- 


TUE  HOLV  SCRIPTURES. 


s$ 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


THE     SAME     SUBJECT. 

L  Do  aM  things  without  murmurings  and  dia- 
putings.  P/iUip,  li.  14. 

2.  Let  nothing  be  done  through  strife  or  vain 
^lory,  but,  m  lowlmess  of  mind,  let  each  esteem 
others  li4ilter  than  himself.  Philip,  ii  3. 

3.  Pride  goeth  before  destruction,  and  a  haughty 
spirit  before  a  fall.  Prov.  x\i.  18. 

4.  Every  one  that  is  proud  m  heai  t  is  an  abo- 
mination to  the  Lord.  Prov,  xvi.  5, 

5.  Ye  younger,  submit  yourselves  unto  the 
•elder;  yea,  all  of  you  be  subject  one  unto  another, 
and  be  clothed  with  humility.  1  Peter  v.  5, 

6.  God  resisteth  the  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to 
the  humble.  Ibid* 

7.  Thus  saith  the  high  and  lofty  one,  that  in- 
)iabiteth.  eternity,  and  whose  name  is  Holy ;  I 
dwell  in  the  high  and  holy  place;  with  him  also  that 
is  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit ;  to  revive  the 
spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the 
contrite  ones.  Isaiah  Ivii.  15. 

8.  Be  not  hasty  in  thy  spirit  to  be  angry ;  for 
tnger  resteth  in  the  bosom  of  fools.  Eccles.  vii.  9. 

9.  A  meek  and  (][uiet  spirit  is  in  the  sight  of 
Cod  of  great  price.  1  Peter  iii.  4. 


1 


m 


24. 


SELECT  T>ASSAGES  FROM  * 


THE  HOtY  SCRIPTlTBES, 


ft5 


.<5 


10.  He  will  beautify  the  meek  with  salvation. 

Psalm  cxlix.  4. 

11.  The  meek  shall  inherit  the  earth,  and  shall 
delight  themselves  in  the  abundance  of  peace. 

Psalm  xxxvii.  1 1 . 

12.  Put  on,  therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy 
and  beloved,  bowels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humble- 
ness of  mind,  meekness,  long-suflfering ;  forbearing 
one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another  i  even  as 

Chrbt  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye. 

Goloss,  iii.  12,  13. 


*1    .  !«■ 


CHAPTER  XIF. 

THE     SAME     SUBJECT. 

1 .  Whether  ye  eat  or  drink,  or  Whatsoever  ye 
do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God.  1  Cor.  x.  31. 

2.  Wine  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink  is  raging ; 

and  whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise. 

Prov*  XX.  1. 

3.  Flee  youthful  lusts.     Keep  thyself  pnre. 

2  Tim,  li.  2^.  '  1  Tim,  v.  22. 

4.  Evil  communications  corrupt  good  manners. 

1  Cor,  XV.  3S. 

5.  Let  no  corrupt  communication  proceed  out 
of  your  mouth,  but  that  which  is  good  to  the  use 
of  edifying.  Ephes.  iv.  29. 

6.  Be  not  slothful  in  business.        Rom.  xii.  1 1 . 

7.  Go  to  the  ant,  thou  sluggard,  consider  her 
ways  and  be  wise;  which  having  no  guide,  over- 
seer, or  ruler,  provideih  her  meat  in  the  summer, 
and  gathereth  her  food  in  harvest.   P/m.  vi.  6*,  7,  8. 

8.  Take  heed  and  beware  of  covetonsness ;  for 
a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in  the  abundance  of  the 
things  which  he  possesseth.  Jjuke  xii.  1.5. 

9.  Godliness  with  contentment  is  great  gain; 
for  we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  aini  it  is 
certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out.     1  Tim.  vi.  f),  T, 

10.  Give  me  neither  poverty  nor  riches;  feed 
me  with  food  convenient  for  me ;  lest  I  be  full 
and  deny  thee,  and  say,  who  is  the  Lord?  or  lest  I 
he  poor  and  steal;  and  take  the  name  of  my  God 
i»^  vain,  .     Pro:i,  xx\.  8,  9. 

B 


i 


OS  SELECT  PASSAGES  FROlt 

CHAPTER  Xr. 

^RELATIVE   MORAL  DUTIES. 

1.  aildten,  obey  your  parents  m  the  Lord; 
:for  this  is  right.  Ephes,M.l, 

2.  A  wise  son  makelli  a  glad  father ;  but  a 

polish  son  is  the  heaviness  of  his  mother. 

Prov»  X.  1. 

3.  The  rod  and  reproof  give  Avisdo-m ;  but  a 
child  left  to  himself  bringeth  his  mother  to 
shame.  P''"^'  ^^^"-  '^• 

4  Ye  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to 
^vrath;  but  bring  them  up  in  the  nu^ire  and  ad- 
inouition  of  the  Lord.  EphesM,  4, 

5.  Servants,  be  subject  to  your  masters  with  all 
fear ;  not  only  to  the  good  and  gende,  but  also  to 
thefroward.  1  Pe^er  ii.  18. 

6.  Masters,  give  unto  yoitr  Servants  that  which 
is  just  and  equal,  knowing  that  ye  ^Iso  have  a 
Master  in  heaven.  ColossAv.  h 

7.  Wives,  submit  ^otirserves  to  your  own  has 
^|>ands,  as  it  is  tit  in  the  Lord.  Cohss.  iii.  IS. 

8.  Husbands,  love  your  ^vives,  and  be  not  bittci 
against  them.  Co/oss.  iii.  19> 

^.  Submit   yourselves  to   every   ordinance  of 
jnan,  for  the  Lord's  sake.  1  Peter  ii.  1- 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES, 


^7 


10.  Fear  thou  the  Lord  and  the  King;  and 
meddle  not  with  them  that  are  given  to  change. 

Prov.  xxiv.  21. 

11.  When  the  righteous  are  in  authority,  the 
people  rejoice  J  but  when  th©  wicked  bear  rule,,  the 
people  mourn.  Prov.  xxix.  2. 

12.  He  that  ruleth  over  men  must  be  just, 
ruling  in  the  fear  of  God.  2  Sam*  xxiii.  3- 


B  2 


J 


'M 

m 


£S 


SELECT  PASSAGES  YJiOU 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


PRECEPTS    PECULIAR   TO   TTOUNG    PERSONS. 

1.  Remember  thy  Creator  iu  the  days  of  Ay 
youth,  while  the  evil  days  come  not,  aor  the  years 
draw  nigh  when  thou  shalt  say,  I  have  no  pleasure 
in  them.  Eccles.xu.l. 

2.  Rejoice,  O  young  roan,  in  thy  youth ;  and 
let  thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth ; 
and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thy  heart,  and  in  the  sight 
of  thy  eyes ;  but  know  thou,  that  for  all  these  things 
God  will  bring  thee  into  judgment.     Eccles.  xi.  9- 

3.  It  is  good  for  a  man,  that  he  bear  the  yoke 
in  his  youth.  ^«'«-  ">•  ^7. 

4.  Wherewith  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his 
way?  By  taking  heed  thereto,  according  to  thy 
^yord.  Psalm  cxix.  (H 

5.  Exhort  young  men  to  be  sober-minded. 

I'Uus  ii.  5. 

G.  Teach  the  young  women  to  be  sober,  dis-- 
creet,  chaste,  keepers  at  home,  good ;  that  the 
Wrd  of  God  be  not  blasphemed.      TUus  ii.  4,  5. 

7.  Come,  ye  children,  hearken  unto  me,  I  will 
teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Whit  man  is  he 
that  dosireih  life,  and  loveth  many  days,  that  he 
may  see  good  r  Keep  thy  tongue  from  evil,  ai^ 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


S9 


thy  lips  that  they  speak  no  guile;  depart  from  evil 
and  do  good ;  seek  peace  and  pursue  it ;  for  the 
eyes  of  the  Lord  are  over  the  righteous,  and  his 
ears  are  open  to  their  prayers. 

Psalm  xxxiv.  1 1,  S^c.  1  Peter  iii.  12,  13. 

8.  Thou,  Solomon,  my  son,  know  thou  the 
God  of  thy  Father,  and  serve  him  with  a  perfect 
heart,  and  with  a  willing  mind  ;  for  the  Lord 
searcheth  all  hearts,  and  undcrstandeth  all  the 
imaginations  of  the  thoughts :  if  thou  seek  him,  he 
will  be  found  of  thee;  but  if  thou  forsake  him,  he 
will  cast  thee  .off  for  ever.  1  Chron,  xxviii,  9, 


«  JB 


«• 


'^ 


Tji< 


^ 


Si;LECT  PASSAGES  FROM 

CHJPTER  XFII. 


THJC  UOir  SC!UPTURj:$, 


^tKii 


UKrorRAQEMENTS  TO  RELIGION  AND  VIRTVE, 

1.  Tlie  wajs  of  wisdom  are  ways  of  pleasant- 
ness ;  and  all  her  paths  are  peace.         Prot\  iii.  17. 

%  Great  peace  have  they  that  love  thy  law;  and 
nothing  shall  offend  them.  Psalm  cxix.  \0o. 

3.  A  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand 
[elsewhere] :  I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the 
house  of  my  God,  than  d\vel1  in  the  tents  of 
wickedness.  -P^^w«  Ixxxiv.  10, 

4.  Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart,  more 
than  in  the  time  when  their  corn  and  their  wine 
increased.  ^^^^'^  iv.  7- 

5.  Light  is  sown  for  the.  righteous,  and  gladness 
for  the  upright  in  heart.  Psaim  xcvii.  11. 

6.  The  voice  of  rejoicing  and  salvation  is  in  the 
tabernacle  of  the  righteous.  Psalm  cxviii.  15. 

7.  Although  the  fig  tree  shall  not  blossom, 
neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines;  the  labour  of 
the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no 
iiveat;  the  flock  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and 
there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stall;  yet  I  will  rejoice 
in  the  Lord  j  1  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salva- 
toB.  «a6.  fei.  17,  >9' 


8.  Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things^  having 
the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that 
which  is  to  com#,  >JV/».  iv.  8. 

9.  Peace  I  leave  with  you ;  n\y  peace  {  giye 
unto  you :  not  as  the  world  giveth  give  I  unto  you : 
kt  not  your  heart  be  troubled,  neither  Jet  it  be 
afraid.  Jehn  xiv.  27, 

10.  The  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, shall  keep  jour  hearts  aud  minds  through 
Christ  Jesus.  Philip,  iv,  ?. 


tt 


■i- 


m 


iii 

•i 


'$1^  SELECT  PASSAGES  FROBI 

CHJPTER  XVIJI. 

THE   TEN    COMMANDMENTS- 

'1.  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  God*  before  me.. 

a.  Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  grave* 
image,  aor  any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  hea- 
ven above,  or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that 
is  in  the  water  under  Hie  earth ;  thou  shalt  not 
bow  down  thyself  to  them,  nor  serve  them;  for  I, 
the  Lord  thy  "God,  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the 
iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children,  to  the 
third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me, 
and  showing  mercy  unto  thousands  of  Uiem  that 
love  me,  and  keep  my  commandments. 

3.  Thou  shait  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
thy  God,  in  vain  :  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him 
guiltless,  that  taketh  his  name  in  vain. 

4.  Remember  the  Sabbath  Day  to  keep  it  holy. 
Six  days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work  ; 
but  the  seventh  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord,  thy 
God  ;  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work ;  thou,  nor 
thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter ;  thy  man  servant,  nor 
thy  maid  servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger 
that  is  within  thy  gates :  for  in  six  days  the  Lord 
made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea  and  all  that  in 
tliem  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day ;  wherefore  the 
Lord  blessed  the  «eventh  day  and  hallowed  it. 


THE  HOLY  SCRirTURES. 


53 


5.  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy 
days  may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy 
God  giveth  thee. 

6.  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

7.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery* 

8.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

9.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witnestr  against  thy 
neighbour. 

10.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  house; 
thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife,  nor  his 
man  servant,  nor  his  maid  servant,  nor  bis  ox,  nor 
hrs  ass,  nor  any  thing  that  is  thy  neighbour's. 

£xod*  XX.  3/0  17. 


, »  'J. '  J 


t , 


if  ■■i 


54 


SELECT   PASSAGES,  &a 


CHATTER  XIX. 

THE    BEATITUDES. 

1.  Blessed  are  the  poor  ia  spirit;  for  theirs  19 
fhc  kingdom  of  heaven. 

2.  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn  ;  for  they  shall 
be  comforted, 

3.  Blessed  are  the  nie^k ;  for  they  shall  inherit 
the  earth. 

4.  Blessed  are  they  who  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness ;  for  they  shall  be  iilled. 

5.  Blesaed  are  the  merciful ;  for  they  shall  ob-^ 
tain  mercy* 

6.  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart ;  for  they  shall 

see  God. 

7.  Blessed  are  the  peacemakers ;  for  they  shall 
be  called  the  children  of  God. 

8.  Blessed  are  they  w4io  are  persecuted  for 
jighteousness  sake  ;  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaveo.  Matt.  v.  S  to  10, 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE    lord's    prayer. 

Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  thy 
name;  thy  kingdom  come;  thy  will  be  done  in 
earth,  as  kt  is  in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our 
daily  bread,  and  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we 
forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us;  and  lead  us 
fiot  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil ;  for 
thine  is  the  kingdom,  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for 
ever.    Amen.^  Matt.  vi.  9  to  13. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 


i» 


HENRY   TUKB, 


101 


^tit! 


fUlllTED  FOR  tr.  ALEXANDER,  AMD  lOLD  8Y  KIM  | 

JIOLD  ALSO   BY 

k.  ar.  AND  E.  tTEBB,  BRISTOL  ; 

ftARTON,  HARf  BT  AND  CO.  W.  PHILLIPI, 

AND  W.  DARTON,  JUN.  LONDON. 

1815. 


i 


4  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  ^c. 


Printed  by 
C.  PiACOCE,  Yofk. 


Tv  HEN  the  ties  of  nature,  and  virtuous  con- 
nexions, are  dissolved  by  death,  the  dissolution  is 
often  attended  with  inexpressible  anguish.  But 
how  much  more  deeply  distressing,  and,  in  many 
instances,  how  overwhelming,  would  these  sepa- 
rations be,  if  they  were  considered  as  final ;  if 
the  connexions  were  believed  to  be  dissolved  for 
ever  ?  So  mournful  a  persuasion,  whatever  degree 
of  obscurity  may  attend  the  subject,  is  not  the 
destitute  condition  of  man.  The  Divine  <^ood« 
nes8  has  permitted  us  to  hope,  that  if  we  labour 
to  be  faithful  u&to  death,  we  shall  not  only 

A  e 


\. 


;4  A   BiOCRAPHlCAL   SKETCH 

receive  a  crown  of  life,  but  be  united  again,  ]» 
z  holy, and  spiritual  union,  in  purer  and  stronger 
bonds  of  love,  to  those  who  were  justly  dear  to 
VS  in  this  mortal  state.     It  may  therefore -be 
allowable,    in    the    meantime,     frequently    to 
indulge  the  hope  of  this  spiritual  re-union,  and 
to'feel  our;hearts  influenced  by  it.     Our  ,de. 
parted,  pious  friends,  will  not  then  be  wholly 
lost  to  us,  even  in  this.life. 

"These  considerations,  with  others  which  fol- 
low,  appear   to   warrant    the   author    of   this 
Memoir,   in   producing  some  account  of  the 
exemplary  life  of  his  dear  and  excellent  friend, 
Jlenry  Tuke.    To  him,  indeed,  it  can  be  of  up 
consequence.  He  is  far  removed  from  the  present 
transient  scene ;  and  is  doubtless  lodged  in  a 
mansion  of  eternal  peace,  where  no  praises  or 
opiiiiona  of  men  can^  in  any  degree,  affect  bim. 
But  to  his  numerous. relatives  and  friends,  to 
those  who  knew  and  loved  him,  the  review  of 
his  well-spent  life,  the  recollection  of  his  amiable 


-  OF  UENHY   TUKE.  | 

qyalities,  and  the- testimonies  borne  to  his  many 
virtues;  must  prove  both  interesting  and  con- 
solatory, And  it  may.  be  hoped^  that,  in  the 
breast  of  every  serious  reader,  the  narrative 
will  excite  afresh  the  love  of  goodness,  and  a 
renewed  desire  to  be  united  to  that  happy  numw 
b^r,  who,  through  faith  and  patience,  rest  from 
their  labourij,  and  inherit  the  Divine  promises^  ^ 

The  subject  of  this  Memoir  was  bom  hi  the 
year  1755,  in  the  City  of  York,  of  pious  and 
truly  respectable  parents.  His  natural  disposi- 
tion was  lively  and  active.  When  a  boy,  though 
of  an  affectionate  temper,  iie  was  quick  of  re- 
sentment, and  often  fearlessly  engaged  with  his 
school-fellows  in  bodily  contests.  But  when 
the  gentle  and  forbearing  principle  of  religion 
took  possession  of  his  heart,  those  resentful 
feelingawere  controlled,  and  brought  under  due 
government  and  direction.  His  warm  and  ani- 
mated temperament,  served  afterwards  to  excite 
in  him  greater  indignation  against  vice  and  in- 

A  3 


6  A   BlOOllPHICAL  SKETCH 

justice,  and  greater  zeal  and  firmness  in  the 
pursuit  of  what  he  conceived  to  be  right.    It 
was  about  the  thirteenth  year  of  his  age,  that 
this  decided  and  happy  change  appeared  in  hi» 
manners  and  conduct.     His  mind  then  received 
the  impressions,  which  restrained  its  excesses ; 
and  which,  doubtless,  afforded  him  niore  tru^ 
satbfaction  than  all  his  former  indulgences. 


About  his  seventh  year  he  was  deprived  of 
his  mother ;  but  this  loss  was,  a  few  years  after* 
wards,  eminently  supplied  by  a  wise  and  prudent 
step-mother,   who  exercised  over  him  a  truly 
affectionate  and  parental  attention.    He  was  in- 
deed blessed  with  the  guardianship  of  discreet 
and  religious  parents,  who  were  deeply  con- 
cerned for  his  improvement  and  welfare,  in 
every  point  of  view.     He  possessed  also  the  in- 
estimable benefit  of  the  society,  conversation^ 
and  example,  of  many  friends  who  occasionally 
^ame  under  his  observation ;  and  particularly  of 
those  who  were  often,  in  the  course  of  their  re- 


OF  HENRY  TUKE.  J 

ligious  traveh,  entertained  at  his  father's  house. 
Such  a  guarded  education,  and  such  privileges, 
could  scarcely  fail  to  impress  his  youthful  and 
susceptible  mind,  with  pious  and  virtuous  senti- 
ments; and  to  qualify  him  for  that  Divine  in- 
fluence which  is  both  the  source  and  the  support 
of  every  religious*  attainment.  Ground  thus 
prepared,  and  seed  thus  early  sown,  promise, 
sooner  or  later,  a"  precious  harvest ;  and  this 
fltessing  sitteilded  the  religious  labomv  bestowed 
tipon  him^'  ^ 

He  possessed  an  eicerient  understanding; 
and,  when  put  to  school,  he  made  a  quick  and 
tegular  progress  in  learning,  and  became  a  great 
favourite  vnth  his  master.  Besides  the  usual 
attainments  of  an  English  education,  in  a  board- 
ing school  kept  at  Sowerby,  near  Thirsk,  by  a 
Friend  of  the  name  of  Ellerby,  he  studied  die 
Latin  and  Greek  languages;  and  though  the  ad- 
vances which  he  made  in  these  tongues,  were 
not  critically  extensive,  they  were  of  considerable 

A  4 


•t 


» 


A    BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCH 


use  to  bim.    They  made  him  acquainted  with 
the  general  principles  and  construction  of  lanr 
guages,  and  prepared  him  for  investigating  more 
readily  the  rules  and  formation  of  his  native 
tongue.    They  encouraged  him  to  pursue  bis 
biblical  studies ;  and  enabled  bim  to  prosecute 
them  with  greater  satisfaction  to  his  own  mind, 
than  be  could  have  done  without  this  advantage  j 
and  they  also  qualified  bim  the  better  to  vindi- 
cate bis  religious  sentiments,  both  in  private 
conference,  and  in  some  of  bb  publications. 
From  the  purity  of  his  mind,  it  appears  that 
these  advantages  were   obtained,   without  in- 
curring those  taints  and  corruptions,  which  are 
too  often  the  consequence  of  perusing  some  of 
tlie  ancient  classics,  in  their  imperfect  state  of 
purification. 

After  be'^ad  finished  at  school,  and  on  the 
death  of  his  teacher  at  Sowerby,he  kindly  under- 
took to  superintend  the  seminary,  for  the  benefit 
of  the  w  idow ;  and  he  accordingly  continued  it 


OF   HENRY   TUKE.  Q 

for  a  short  time.  This  office  contributed,  doubt- 
less, in  no  small  degree,  to  fix  his  own  acquire- 
ments, and  still  farther  to  improve  himself :  for 
those  attentions  which  we  employ  in  the  instruc- 
tion of  others,  naturally  sharpen  our  own  powers, 
and  stimulate  us  to  be  fully  competent  to  per- 
form the  duties  which  we  h^ve  undertaken. 

Whilst  he  was  at  Sowerby,  he  contracted  a 
taste  for  the  study  of  Physic  ;  and  he  employed 
some  of  his  leisure  time  in  that  science.  But 
his  father  being  desirous  that  he  should  assist 
bim  in  his  business,  be  returned  to  York,  about 
the  fifteenth  year  of  his  age;  and  came  again 
under  the  care  of  his  parents.  He  did  not 
hesitate  to  give  up  his  own  inclinations ;  and 
applied  himself  with  resolute  diligence  to  his 
father's  occupation.  To  relinquish  an  object 
which  he  appears  to  have  had  so  much  at  heart, 
and  to  do  it  cheerfully,  when  he  perceived  that 
it  did  not  accord  with  his  father's  views  and 
wishes^  was  a  strong  proof  of  filial  obedience ; 

A  5 


1 1 


!l 


10  A   BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCIT 

and  of  respect  for  his  superior  judgment,  con*^ 
ceming  the  most  eligible  mode  of  his  sonV 
future  employment  in  life. 

But  though  he  steadily  pursued  his^  father  ^ 
business,  he  found  opportunity,  by  early  rising^ 
and  extraordinary  exertion,  to  mdulge,  in  ar 
moderate  degree,  his  turn  for  literature,  and  to- 
retain  and  extend  the  classical  knowledge  he 
had  acquired.    Some  of  the  persons  with  whom^ 
the  nature  of  his  business  led  him  frequently  to^ 
associate,  were  of  a  stamp  far  from  being  likely 
to  promote,  cither  his  moral  or  intellectual 
improvement.     And  it  may  reasonably  be  sup-- 
posed,   that  his  taste  for  literature,  and  his- 
industrious  pursuit  of  useful  knowledge,  contri- 
buted, in  no  small  degree,  to  elevate  his  mind 
above  mean  and  debasing  objects,  and  to  preserve 
him  from  the  contagionof  vicious  example.  This 
desire  of  improvement  also  laid  the  foundation 
of  his  future  extensive  usefulness  in  society.— It 
is  proper  here  to  observe,  that  he  possessed  great 


OF  HENRY  TUKE. 


II 


♦  t 


frankness  of  disposition,  and  a  great  desire  to 
oblige ;  so  that,  during  the  period  of  his  appren- 
ticeship, he  made  himself  very  agreeable  to  the 
domestic  circle,  being  remarkably  ready  to  leave 
his  favourite  pursuits,  when  he  could  render 
assistance  to  any  who  required  and  wanted 
his  aid. 

His  steady  and  industrious  conduct  induced 
his  father,  at  a  proper  age,  to  take  him  into 
partnership  ;  and  he  continued  to  prosper,  and 
to  grow  in  his  attachment  to  the  best  things.  In 
the  twenty  sixth  year  of  his  age,  he  entered  into 
tlie  married  state ;  and  it  may  be  truly  said,  that 
he  was  a  faithful  and  affectionate  husband^  and 
a  kind  and  judicious  father,  greatly  solicitous  for 
the  best  interests  of  hi^  children.  Their  dutiful, 
and  respectful  behaviour  to  him,  and  to  their 
mother,  and  their  conduct  in  life,  must  have 
been  most  grateful  to  his  mind  j  and  are  striking 
proofs  of  his  wise  and  tender  guardianship  over 
them. 


I'i 


n 


It 


A    BIOORAPHICAL   SKETClf 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 


13 


Fer  many  years  before  his  decease,  his  wife 
had  been   aflaicted. and  confined,  under  great 
bodily  weakness.     But  no  pressure  of  his  other 
oncems  could  interrupt  or  remit  his  attentions 
towards  the  beloved  partner  of  his  bosom.     To 
make  her  fprnfortable,  and  to  administep  to  her 
all  the  alleviations  in  his  power,  he  considered 
not  merely  as  incumbent  upon  him,  but  as  the 
di8char<ye  of  an  obligatioa  which  aflforded  him 
peculiar  satisfaction.      In  the  performance  of 
the  reli^^ious  duties  which  called  him  from  home, 
his  anxiety  on  leaving  her  in  so  feeble  a  state  of 
health,  was  greatly  mitigated  by  the  cheerful 
and  cordial  manner,  in  which  she  met  these 
\iews  of  his  services ;  and  by  the  encouragement 
and  promotion  of  them,  which  she  uniformly 
and  actively  afforded.      Through  life,  and  even 
to  its  latest  period,  he  cherished  and  manifested 
great  esteem  and  reverence  towardSs  his  father, 
who  loved  and  valued  him  in  a  high  degree.    A 
glreatef  proof  of  this  cannot  be  given  than  his 
expressions  made  a  few  hours  before  his  decease : 


^'  My  dear  father,"  said  he,  «  how  1  have  loved 
and  revered  thee !  And  now  we  are  likely  to 
part.  But  I  am  perfectly  resigned  to  the  will 
of  my  Heavenly  Father." 

For  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  holy  vocation  of  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel ;  and  laboured  earnestly,  in  great  iove 
and  humility,  to  promote  the  happiness,  both 
here  and  hereafter,  of  his  fellow  creatures.  Tlie 
truly  humble  and  dedicated  state  of  his  mind 
under  this  engagement,  might  be  shown  by  ex- 
tracts from  many  of  his  letters :  indeed  it  was 
evinced  by  a  correspondent  life  and  deportment. 
But  it  is  particularly  manifested  by  the  follow- 
ing extract  from  a  letter,  which  he  wrote  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  life,  and  after  he  had  been  many 
years  exercised  in  the  office  and  labours  of  a 
Christian  minister.  It  is,  in  several  respects,  a 
characteristic,  and  very  instructive  letter. 

"  I  do  not  seem  to  have  much  to  say,  though 
I  have  taken  up  my  pen  to  write  thee  a  letter. 


I 


* 


14  A   BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 

To  tell  thee  that  I  love  thee  is,  1  hope,  needless:  . 
I  can  also  say  Aat  I  sympathize  with  thee,  in 
thy  various  exercbes  from  within  and  without. 
But  thus  it  behoves  some  to  suffer,  that  they 
Hiay  be  the  better  qualified  to  speak  a  word  in 
due  season  to  the  weary  traveUer :  and,  patient- 
ly undergoing  the  various  dispensations  allotted 
in  Infinite  Wisdom,  may  experience  them  ulti- 
mately to  terminate  in  the  increase  of  joy  and 
peace,  in  believing  that  faithful  is  He  who  hath 
promised,  "  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake 
thee ;"  and  "  who  also  will  do  it." 

"  I  have  not  been  sorry  for  my  little  turn  out 
with  thee ;  though  it  has  increasingly  convinced 
me  of  my  own  weakness>  which  I  sometimes 
think  I  sensibly  feel  to  grow  upon  me  ;  and  am 
ready  to  indulge  the  apprehension,  that  the  gift 
\vill  be  wholly  taken  from  me.  Indeed  I  never 
considered  it  necessarily  a  gift  for  life  ;  and  if  it 
should  be  takpn  away  without  my  fault,  I  believe 
I  should  not  find  it  difficult  to  obtain  the  same 


0»  RBNRY  TUKB.  15^ 

fesignation,  which  i»  our  duty  on  other  occa- 
sions ;  and  to  acknowledge,  *^  The  Lord  giveth^ 
and  the  Lord  taketh  away,  blessed  be  the  name 
of  the  Lord."  But  be  this  as  it  may,  one  thing 
I  find,  which  to  be  sure  is  rather  unnatural,  that 
ihe  longer  I  live,  the  more  I  am  reduced  to  that 
state,  which  breathes  the  language  of,  "  Lord !  l 
am  a  child  -"  sometimes  with  an  addition  like 
that  of,  **  I  cannot  speak  ;"  though  at  others^ 
the  more  resigned  language  will  prevail :  '*  Take 
me,  and  lead  me,  where  thou  wouldest  have  me 
to  go.**  And  here  I  wish  to  center ;  and  leave 
all  to  Him  who  doth  all  things  right,  and  who^ 
my  small  experience  has  taught  me,  is  worthy  to 
be  served  and  obeyed  in  all  things.  Mayst  thou 
witness  the  renewal  of  thy  confidence  in  Him^ 
who  has  put  thee  forth,  and  gone  before  thee ; 
and  who,  I  doubt  not,  will  continue  to  make 
way  for  diee,  as  thy  eye  continues  to  be  single 
unto  Him,  who  has  thus  separated  thee  to  his 
work  and  service.** 


)  • 


le 


A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH 


Through  the  course  of  his  religious  life,  he' 
was  eiuiDently  distirtguished  for  his  love  to  God 
and  love  to  men,  and  for  the  virtues  which  flow . 
from  this  Divine  principle.     Few  men,  even  of 
religious  characters,  have  lived  more  above  the 
low  and  selfish  propensities  of  our  nature.     He 
not  only  rejoiced  in  the  religious  welfare  and 
progress  of  his  friends ;  but  he  took  pleasure  in 
their  temporal  comforts  and  accommodations, 
and  the  various  improvements  of  tlieir  external 
condition.     He  was  indeed  aware  of  the  great 
danger  of  riches,  and  often  spoke  of  them  as 
incentives  to  self  dependence,  and  forgetfulness 
of  the  Bountiful  Giver ;  yet  he  knew  that  the 
good  things  of  this  life,  are  real  blessings,  when 
they  are  pursued  and  enjoyed  with  moderation/ 
and  possessed  with  humility  and  gratitude. 


The  writer  of  this  Memorial  thinks  it  will  h& 
agreeable  to  the  reader,  if  he  inserts  a  few  traits 
of  the  character  of  this  excellent  person,  whicb 
were  sent  to  him  by  his  son,  at  the  writers  par? 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 


A       - 


l^» 


ticular  request.  They  relate  to  a  part  of  the 
character  with  which  he  muat  have  been  most 
intimately  acquainted.  And  the  sentiments  of 
such  an  informant,  concerning  a  father,  whom 
he  so  thoroughly  knew,  and  so  highly  esteemed 
and  loved,  will  doubtless  be  perused  with  pecu- 
liar interest  and  satisfaction. 


^  My  dear  father  was  remarkable  for  simpli- 
city.    He  affected  nothing.     There  appeared  no 
fear  about  him,  lest  he  should  seem  to  be  differ- 
ent from  what  he  really  was.     His  was  not  an 
assumed,  but  a  child-like,  spontaaeous  simpli- 
city.   His  modesty  too  was  of  the  same  nature : 
he  was  not  apt  to  advance  inability,  as  an  excuse 
for  declining  any  useful  undertaking.     He  was 
always  ready  to  hear,   and  consider  too,   the 
opinions  of  persons,  whom  many,  his  inferiors 
in  understanding,  would  have  slighted.     I  have 
known  many  instances  of  his  inquiring  of,  and, 
listening  to,  persons  of  the  most  humble  situa- 
tions in  life  5  and  paying  great  attention  to  their 


H- 


19  A   BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 

opinions,  vthtn  lie  thought  them  correct.  I  ne- 
ver heard  him  use  any  professiony  of  humihty ; 
and  I  never  saw  any  act,  in  which  pride,  or 
9el&ataae98,  WM  predominant* 


"  He  was  naturally  of  a  sanguine  tempetamettfr' 
Beligion  did  not  destroy  the  natiiral  <Aaracter, 
but  restricted  and  sanctified  it.     He  wa»  alwaya 
zealous  for  good,  and  earnestly  opposed  to  evil. 
Against  those  who  espoused  the  latter,  he  wa»^ 
apt  to  use  strong,  and  sometimes  severe  expres- 
sions :  but  when  he  was  called  upon  to  act  to- 
wards such  persons,  he  was  ztt  example  ol 
moderation.      He  was  apt  to  speak  quickly  off 
sudden  occasions,  but  was  ever  ready  to  hear 
any  one's  defence ;  and  it  would  have  been  ex- 
tremely difficult  to  have  made  hkn  angry,  or  to 
have  oflfcndcd  him,  by  any  personal  attack.     I 
have  known  him  receive,  but  I  never  knew  himr 
lesent,  a  personal  reflection,  however  unjust  of 
severe.   Here  the  power  of  religion  on  his  mind, 
was  strikingly  evinccdv 


i 


IL        ' 


'i] 


OF   HENRY  TUKE. 


19 


"  Notwithstanding  his  warm  and  ardent  dispo- 
sition, he  was  not  apt  to  form  hasty  friendships; 
and  he  was  remarkable  for  the  steadiness  of  his 
attachments,  and  for  the  zeal  with  which  he 
Btudied  to  serve  his  friends,  both  in  great,  and  io' 
small  matters.  On  subjects  of  little  consequencei* 
he  was  frequently  inclined  to  favour  and  discuss 
bew  opinions :  but  in  matter?  of  importance, 
and  especially  in  religion  and  the  interests  of  his^ 
country,  his  prmeiples  were  decided  and  steadfast* 

**  Though  he  was  firmly  attached  to  the  princi- 
ples of  Christianity,  as  professed  by  the  Society 
in  which  he  was  educated,  yet  he  did  not  con* 
demn  those  who  differed  from  him.  On  the 
contrary,  he  used  to  say,  that  he  thought  a  variety 
of  opinions  unavoidable,  from  the  nature  of  our 
minds ;  that  this  variety  operated  usefully  ;  and 
that  the  various  parts  of  the  Christian  system^ 
were,  by  this  means,  more  extensively  exempli^ 
fied :  "  The  human  mind,"  said  he  once  to  me^ 
*'  seems  not  capacious  enough,  to  embrace  th# ' 
fulness  of  the  blessings  of  the  GospeU'' 


<  • 


¥ 


l.f 


20 


A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH 


*'  Id  the  exercise  of  the  ministerial  office^it  was 
evident  that  he  preached  his  Master,  not  himself. 
He  used  the  words  of  Scripture  more  than  many 
persons :  and  his  use  of  them  proved  that  no 
words  are  better  adapted  to  arouse  the.  indiffer- 
ent, encourage  the  diffident,  strengthen  the  weak, 
and  comfort  the  afflicted.  He  frequently  illusr 
trated  very  clearly  the  gr^d,  fundamental  doc- 
trines of  Christianity^ 


I 


"  The  last  time  he  addressed  his  own  flock^  he  ' 
began  in  nearly  the  following  words :  "  We  have 
God  for  our  father,  Jesus  Christ  for  our  redeemer 
and  mediator,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  for  our  guide 
and  comforter."'  In  proceeding  he  dwelt  on  the 
various  offices  of 'Christ ;    the  efficacy  of  his 
Spirit  to  redeem  us  from  the  corruptions  of  the 
worid  ;  and  of  his  sacrifice  on  the  cross  to  ob-: 
tain  for  us  eternal  life.     He^  was  always  very 
careful  to  show  the  necessary  connexion  of  these 
two  parts  of  christian  doctrine  ;  and  to  enforce 
the  imiktion  of  Christ's  life,  as  the  only  sUre  evi- 
«tSenC;e  of  being  benefitted  by  his  death. 


<^  HEililY   TUKl. 


1B1 


"In  bis  intercourse  with  men,  he  was  social 
and  cheerful.  The  woHd  knew  notliing  of  his 
cares  or  sorrows ;  yet  he  lived  in  continual 
watchfulness  arid  circumspection.  The  perfec- 
tion which  he  had  attained  in  this  exercise^ 
though  not  discovered  by  a  common  observer, 
formed  one  -of  the  most  material  traits  in  iiis 
character ;  and  made  him  more  at  liberty  than 
many  pious  persons  are,  for  the  common  avoca- 
tioiis  of  life.  Goodness  did  not,  on  him,  sit  un- 
easily, of  by  constraint ;  it  was  interwoven  in  his 
character.  The  effect  was  seen ;  but  the  springs 
and  principles  by  which  it  was  produced,  were 
concealed  from  view. 


•  f 


'4t 


His  conduct  towards  young  persons  was  par- 
ticularly ingratiating.  He  loved  even  the  prattle 
of  infancy;  joined  freely  in  the  innocent  amuse- 
ments of  children  ;  and  took  particular  pleasure 
in  the  conversation  of  youth.  He  always  loved 
^to  promote  their  enjoyments ;  and  no  man  could 

make  more  allowance  for  their  weaknesses.    To 


£2  A   BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 

his  own  children,  he  had  long  been  equally  the 
father  and  the  friend.  His  presence  never  pro- 
duced  uneasy  restraint :  they  felt  him  as  their 
most  delightful  companion,  their  ablest  coun- 
sellor, and  their  surest  friend.  His  manners  to- 
wards  them  were  uniformly  kind ;  and  it  was  his 
Btudy  to  encourage  their  rational  pleasures  an4 
pursuits^ 

"  He  loved  them  too,  when  of  a  proper  age,  to 
think   for  themselves;   and  though  he  would 
sometimes  argue  with  them  earnestly,  yet  he 
never  resented  their  retaining  their  own  opinion ; 
hut  would  often  speak  of  it  with  pleasantry. 
In  the  education  of  children  however,  he  thought 
the  flubjection  of  the  will  of  the  highest  impor- 
tance ;  and  that  they  should  be  made  to  obey 
their  parents,  whether  diey  understood  the  rea- 
sonableness of  the  thing  commanded,  or  not. 
He  was  of  opinion,  that  the  habit  of  implicit 
obedience  to  parents,  in  infancy,  prepared  the 
minds  of  children  for  a  more  ready  submissioa 


OF  HENRY  TU]^S» 


25 


and  obedience  to  the  will  of  their  Heavenly 
Father;  and  that  ^e  superior  knowledge  of 
parents  rendered  the  obedience  of  c^drea  a 
reasonable  service* 

**  Indifference  to  jelf,was  another  point  which 
Jie  appeared,  by  his  practice,  to  think  of  gr«at 
4:onsequ€nce  in  education.  He  would  have  his 
children  ready  to  serve  ^nj  one,  and  to  forego 
their  own  indulgences,  when  they  interfered 
^ith  the  good  of  others ;  though  he  was,  at  pro- 
per times,  tender  of  dieir  little  pleasures.  He 
however  instilled  Ae  principles  of  which  I  have 
spoken,  rather  by  a^ts  and  example,  than  by  pre- 
cepts. He  was  not  much  in  the  habit  of  mora- 
lizing, or  of  conveying  didactic  instruction  in 
his  own  family.  Yet,  on  occasions  which  called 
for  it,  he  was  very  far  from  neglecting  the  duty 
of  admonition  and  instruction :  and  the  manner 
in  which  he  conveyed  it,  was  such  as  gave  it  a 
deep  impression* 


« 


u 


i. 


s-r  n 

'I  i 

■i  9 

1 


1 


^  ▲   BIOCRAPHICAJ.  SKETCH 

«  His  miftd  appeared  to  be  peculiaHy  formied 
for  society  ;  and  he  enjoyed,  in  a  high  degree, 
the  intercourse  with  persons  of  piety  and  learnr 
ing  ;  more  especially  with  those  who,  like  him- 
self, were  devoted  to  the  study  of  the   Holy 
Scriptures.     He  was  accurately  acquainted  with 
these  sacted  writings,  and  with  the  best  critical 
expositions   and   illustrations   of    them.     And 
though  he  chiefly  delighted  in  endeavouring  to 
imbibe  himself,  and  to  infuse  into  others,  that 
spirit  and  those  precepts  which  they  unequivo- 
cally teach  ;  yet  he  highly  esteemed  the  labours 
of  those  who,  by  the  collation  of  manuscripts, 
the  inquiry  into  ancient  manners  and  customs, 
and  the  critical  study  of  the  original  tongues, 
have  corrected  some  errors  in  our  translation ; 
thrown  light  on  the  obscurity  of  particular  pas- 
sages; or  have  given  additional  force  and  beauty 
Ho  others/' 


i 


He  possessed  a  great  share  of  decision  of  cha- 
tacter.    Whatever  he  thought  desirable  to  be 


t 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 


2^ 


done,  he  appears  to  have  done  it  without  delay, 
like  Paul,  he  reasoned  not  with  flesh  and  blood; 
and  like  Matthew,  no  sooner  did  he  hear  his 
Master^s  voice,  than  he  arose  and  followed  him 
with  constant  fidelity. 


•  I 


*^  The  manner  of  my  dear  father's  death  was  to 
me  peculiarly  instructive.  Though  he  did  not 
exhibit  any  of  those  strong  feelings  of  mind,  and 
rapturous  expressions,  which  have  sometimes  ac- 
companied  the  death-bed  of  the  righteous,  yet 
his  mind  was  steadfast  and  full  of  hope.  He  had 
so  long  conversed  with  the  invisible  realities  of 
a  future  state,  that  oo  their  nearer  approach,  he 
^was  calm  and  dispassionate  f  equally  remote 
from  weak  timidity  and  presumptuous  confi- 
d&ace. 

*^  Strongly  impressed  with  the  imperfections  ot 
human  attainments,  and  how  far  Jbis  best  efforts 
were  from  deserving  the  rew^ard  to  which  he  as- 
pired, he  deeJared  that  his  hopes  were  founded 


'  i 


£6  A   BICMJBAPHICAL   SKETCH 

on  "  Mercy,  unmerited  mercy."  At  the  same 
time,  relying  on  those  promises  which  had- been 
the  anchor  of  his  life,  his  trust  was  strong,  that 
He  who  had  graciously  preserved  him  from  the 
dominion  of  sin  in  the  world,  woAld  finally  give 
him  the  victory  over  death,  hell,  and  the  grave. 
His  end  \yas  in  unison  with  his  life,  and  proved 
the  genuineness  of  his  character/* 

The  zeal  of  this  enlightened  man  for  the  be* 
neftt  of  others,  appears  to  have  been  unwearied. 
Though  he  was  occupied  in  the  pursuit  of  busi-^ 
ness ;  in  the  concerns  of  the  society  to  which  he 
belonged ;  and  in  other  public  and  private  af- 
fairs- as  well  as  with  the  common  daily  occur- 
rences of  life  ;  yet  he  found  time  to  compose  a 
number  of  little  works  of  a  moral  and  religious 
nature,  which  he  designed  chiefly  for  the  use  of 
persons  ofiiis  own  persuasion.     They  have  been 
well  received  by  the  members  of  the  society,  and 
have  had  an  .extensive  circulation  in  H;  and  they 
are  likely  to  be  continued  in  estimation;  as  use- 


OF   HENRY  TITKE.  g^ 

fill  and  valuable  publications.    His  motives  in 
diese  literary  labours  were  not  only  pure  and 
benevolent,  but  wholly  disinterested.     The  pro- 
fits arising  from  them,  which  were  not  inconsi- 
derable, were  all  disposed  of  in  charities,  and 
benefactions  to  others.  The^st  publication,  en* 
titled,  "  The  Faidi  of  the  People  called  Quakers^ 
in  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,"  extracted 
from  the  writings  of  various  authors  of  that  reli- 
gious society,  appeared  in  the  year  1801 ;  and  has 
had  three  editions.    The  second  work,  on  "  The 
Principles  of  Friends;*'  in  which  their  tenets 
are  considered  and  explained  in  a  familiar  and 
perspicuous  manner,  was  published  in  the  year 
1605 ;  and  has  passed  through  six  editions.    His 
third  publication,  entitled,  «  The  duties  of  Reli- 
gion and  Morality,  as  inculcated  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures ;"  adapted  to  the  perusal  of  persons  of 
every  religious  denomination,  appeared  in  the 
year   1807,  and  has  had  four  editions.     His 
fourth  work,  entitled,  "  Select  Passages  from 
the  Holy  Scriptures/'  designed  to  impress  upon: 

B  2 


ft 


2S  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH 

the  minds  of  young  persons,  the  principal  truths 
of  Christianity,  by  an  arrangement  of  texts  under 
various  heads  ;  was  published  in  ihe  year  1810, 
and  has  passed  through  three  editions.  The  first 
volume  of  his  last  work,  entitled,  "  Biographical 
Notices  of  Members  of  the  Society  of  Friends/' 
came  out  in  the  year  1813. 

Of  these  works,  "  The  Duties  of  Religion 
and  Morality,"  and  the  '*  Select  Passages  from 
the  Holy  Scriptures,"  being  calculated,  not  for 
the  Society  of  F/iends  only,  but  for  general  use, 
may  be  considered  as  proofs  of  his  expanded  re- 
gard  for  the  interests  of  others ;  and  will,  it  is 
hoped,  be  found  acceptable  and  beneficial  to 
many  who  are  not  of  his  own  particular  commu^ 
nion* 

He  was  very  desirous,  and  often  expressed  it, 
that  the  youth  of  our  own  society,  should  be 
carefully  and  impressively  instructed,  in  the  pe- 
culiar principles  which  we  profess,  and  also  ill 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 


^b 


the  great,  general  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the 
Christian  religion.  He  thought  that  our  young 
persons  were  not  sufficiently  and  regularly 
grounded,  in  this  species  of  instruction,  and  he 
wished  for  the  adoption  of  some  mode  by  which 
it  might  be  done  more  eflfectually.  These  prin- 
ciples and  doctrines,  the  foundations  of  our  faith 
and  practice,  would,  if  judiciously  inculcated 
on  our  youth,  with  the  Divine  Blessing  super- 
added, establish,  their  judgments,  and  prove  a 
preservative  and  support  in  their  intercourse  with 
the  worldi  It  appears  that,  with  these  views,  he 
prepared  and  produced  the  two  volumes  just 
mentioned,  namely,  "The  Principles  of  Friends/' 
and  **  The  Dutie*  of  Religion  and  Morality  ;** 
and  they  are  so  well  adapted  to  these  purposes, 
that  if  attentively  and  faithfully  studied,  they 
would  scarcely  fail  of  answering,  in  a  good  de- 
gree at  least,  the  author's  benevolent  intentions. 

Though  the  subject  of  this  Memoir  waJr,  as 
ills  sou  ha3  observed,  firmly  and  warmly  at* 

B  3 


50 


A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH 


OF    HENRY   TUKE, 


d( 


tached  to  tbe  religious  opinions  of  the  soeiet]p 
to  which  he  belonged,  and  of  which  he  was  so 
truly  respectable  a  member,  yet  he  entertained 
great  liberality  of  sentiment  towards  those  who 
conscientiously  differed  from  him  ;  and  this  li- 
berality continued  to  expand  itself  the  longer  he 
lived ;  and  the  more  his  experience,  and  know- 
ledge of  the  integrity  and  true  character  of  his 
Christian  brethren  of  other  denominations,  in- 
creased. 

Of  this  liberal  spirit  he  gave  a  gratifying  evi- 
dence, in  a  speech  which  he  made  at  the  Yort 
Auxiliary  Bible  Society  for  the  year  181^2.  A 
part  of  this  speech  has  been  selected,  as  an 
appropriate  insertion  on  this  occasion*  It  is  aa 
follows. 


union  of  Christians  of  various  denominations  in 

the  support  of  this  great  cause.  May  we  not 
^mpare  the  various  sects  of  Christianity  to  the 
different  tribes  of  ancient  Israel  ?  We,  like  them^ 
may^have  some  different  \iews,  and  separate  in- 
terests; but  we  acknowledge  one  God,  and  one 
I«ord>  even  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ^  We  pro- 
fess to  be  governed  by  the' same  laws,  which  are 
contained  in  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  atid  though 
we  may  not  unite  in  the  construction  of  some 
of  these  laws ;  yet,  when  we  consider  in  how 
large 'a  proportion  of  them  the  professors  of 
Christianity  are  agreed,  and,  consequently,  how 
sAnall  is  the  part  in  which  we  differ,  there  is 
much  cause  for  us  to  feel  as  brethren,  and  to 
unite,  as  ha9  frequently  been  the  case,  in  de- 
fence of  our  common  faith/' 


''  I  feel  disposed  to  express  the  gratification 
which  I  experience,  on  seeing  so  large  and  re- 
spectable a  meeting  of  my  fellow-citizens,  on 
the  present  occasion  j  and  particularly  with  th& 


Another,  and  an  affecting  Instance  of  his  li- 
berality, and  love  towards  his  fellow-citizens, 
was  exhibited  by  him,  in  a  speech  which  he 
made  at  the  last  meeting  that  he  lived  to  see^ 

s  4 


S2 


A   BIOiGRAPlIICAL  SKETCH 


of  the  York  Bible  Society  held  a  few  months 
before  his  decease.  And  as  it  is  replete  with 
true  christian  charity,  and  appears  to  contain 
something  like  a  presentiment  of  his  end,  an  ex- 
tract from  it  may,  with  propriety,  be  introduced 
into  this  account  of  him.  It  is  therefore  pre- 
sented to  the  reader. 


"There  is,indeed,great  cause  to  lament  the  moral 

depravity  which  exists  in  this  favoured  nation,  and 

of  which,  I  fear,  my  native  city  largely  partakes; 

yet,  it  affords  me  great  satisfaction  to  observe 

the  disposition,  which,  on  all  occasions,  is  evinced 

by  so  numerous  a  class  of  the  inhabitants  of 

York,  to  relieve  both  the  temporal  and  spiritual 

wants  of  our  fellow-creatures.     This  is  indeed 

c»use  of  rejoicing  to  my  mind ;  and  I  can  truly 

say,  it  affords  me  no  small  pleasure  to  believe, 

that  if  it  should  ever  be  my  happy  lot  to  gain 

an  admittance  into  that  city,  whose  walls  are 

salvation,  and  its  gates  praise,  I  shall  there,  as 

well  as  here,  have  many  fellow-citizens,  and,  I 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 


33 


tnist,  no  small  portion  of  those  who  now  hear 
my  voice ;  who,  though  I  may  differ  from  them 
on  some  points  of  Christian  Doctnne,  or  rather, 
perhaps,  of  Christian  Practice,  I  feel  no  diffi- 
culty in  believing  will  finally  be  added  to  that 
innumerable  multitude,  which  the  divinely  eagle- 
eyed  Apostle  saw  standing  before  the  throne, 
clothed  in  white  robes,  and  having  palms  in 
their  hands;  but  who,  though  possessed  of  these 
emblems  of  righteousness  and  of  victory,  were 
far  from  claiming  any  merit  to  themselves, 
but  ascribed  their  salvation  wholly  to  the  Lord 
God  and  to  the  Lamb.'' 


The  life  of  a  man  so  valuable  to  the  public, 
and  to  the  particular  society  of  which  he  was  a 
member,  so  dear  to  his  family  and  friends,  might 
naturally  have  excited  a  hope,  that  it  would 
have  been  long  preserved,  as  a  bright  and  use- 
ful example  in  the  world.  But  that  Omniscient 
Being  who  knows  what  is  best  for  his  creatures, 
and  most  conducive  to  the  ends  of  his  Provi- 

B  5 


34 


A   BlOeBAPHICAL  SKETCH 


dencci  saw  it  good  to  remove  his  servaot  from 
this  scene  of  trial  and  difficulties,  before  he  had 
attained  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age.  He  had 
through  life,  until  the  last  year  of  it,  enjoyed  a 
comfortable,  and  even  vigorous  state  of  health* 
But  about  ihb  period,  he  became  infirm,  and 
gradually  declined  till  the  time  of  his  decease. 
His  disorder  was,  at  times,  attended  with  much 
pain.  But  he  was  borne  above  all  his  afflictions, 
by  a  patient,  resigned,  and  steadfast  mind ;  and, 
at  length,  finished  his  course  with  the  peace  and 
hope  of  a  Christian. 


His  death  was  an  event  deeply  affectmg  to  his 
numerous  relations  and  friends,  by  whom- he 
will  be  long  remembered  with  esteem  and  af- 
fection. He  was  ako  greatly  respected  by  such 
of  his  fellow-citizens  as  had  the  opportunity  of 
knowing  his  character;  a  pleasing  proof  of 
which  was  exhibited  at  a  meeting  of  the  York 
Bible  Society,  held,  a  few  months  after  his  de^ 
cease.     At  this  meeting,  a  number  of  the 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 


35 


speakers  bore  strong  and  interesting  testimonies, 
to  the  character  and  virtues  of  their  late,  lamented 
associate ;  and  these  tributes  of  respect  met  the 
cordial  sympathy  of  the  audience.  A  few  ex- 
tracts from  the  speeches  made  on  this  occasion, 
by  teachers  of  different  religious  professions, 
will  doubtless  be  acceptable  to  the  reader,  as 
they  correspond  so  entirely  witb  the  design  of 
this  Memoir. 


"  I  humbly  venture,*'  said  one  of  the  speakers, 
''  to  express  my  regret  for  the  loss  of  one,  whose 
sincere  and  unaffected  testimony  was  heard  last 
year  within  these  walls,  in  behalf  of  the  great 
cause  which  we  profess  to  advocate;  but  who  is 
now  no  more.  I  shall  not  soon  forget  the 
solemn  and  impressive  language,  in  which  he 
then  spoke  of  his  earnest  wishes  for  the  propa* 
gation  of  revealed  truth ;  and  the  terms,  (appa- 
rently prophetic  of  his  own  decease,)  in  which 
he  cordially  anticipated  a  more  perfect  union 
with  his  fellow-labourers  in  a  better  state.  There 


S6 


A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH 


•F   HENHY  TUKE. 


A 


37 


is  a  time  to  be  silent,  as  well  as  a  time  to  speak ; 
and  our  deceased  friend,  who  knew  both,  evi- 
dently never  spoke  here  for  the  sake  of  speaking. 
He  was  well  aware,  that  the  great  subject  of 
revelation,  needs  not  the  foreign  aid  of  ornament, 
or  the  meretricious  trappings  of  mere  human 
eloquence,  to  deck  it  out.     What  he  uttered, 
was  uttered  as  in  the  sight  of  God.     Let  us 
imitate  his  sincerity,  and  may  a  portion  of  his 
benevolent,  judicious,  and  pious  spirit  rest  on 
some  of  his  survivors— may  his  mantle  fall  on  a 
suitable  successor." 

"  No  part  of  the  business  of  the  day,*' 
said  another  of  .the  speakers,  "  could  be  more 
acceptable  than  that,  which  has  been  as- 
signed  to   me,    as    it  will    afford    me    a    fit 

opportunity  of  adding,  to  what  you  have  just 
heard,  my  tribute  of  unfeigned  respect,  to  the 
memory  of  that  excellent  person,  who  at  the 
last  anniversary,  discharged  the  duty  to  which  I 
am  now  called,  in  a  manner  which  cannot  soott 
be  forgotten.     The  ardent  piety— the  enlarged 


Ibenevolence— the  unaffected  humility  which 
appeared  in  the  admirable  address  by  which  he 
introduced  the  motion  I  am  now  about  to  pro- 
pose to  your  notice,  must  have  made  a  deep  and 
lasting  impression  upon  the  minds  of  all  who 
beard  it.  Since  that  day,  it  has  pleased  the 
Almighty  and  AH- wise  Disposer  of  e\*ents,  (o 
remove  him  from  the  present  scene,  and  we 
humbly  hope,  to  grant  him  "  an  admittance 
into  that  city,  whose  walls  are  salvation,  and 
whose  gates  are  praise.'*  In  the  genuine  spirit 
of  that  society,  of  which  he  was  a  distinguished 
member,  he  was  ever  zealous  in  promoting 
every  scheme  friendly  to  human  happiness;  and 
that  his  heart  was  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the 
Bible  Society,  we  have  had  abundant  proof.*^ 

The  last  speaker  on  this  subject,  a  clergy- 
man of  the  church  of  England,  expressed  him- 
self in  the  following  manner:—"  It  was  my 
intention  to  have  trespassed  a  little  on  your 
time,  by  offering  a  few  reflections  on  the  removal 


38 


A    BIOGBAPUICAL   SKETCH 


of  a  lay-member  of  our  last  year's  committee,  t^ 
a  more  exalted  society ;  but  I  have  been  antici"- 
pated  by  no  less  than  three  gentlemen  who  have 
addressed  you.  This  circumstance  proves  how 
much  the  memory  of  that  pious  and  excellent 
man,  lives  in  the  recollection  and  affections  of  u» 
all.  It  has  been  well  observed,  with  what  pleai- 
sure  he  expatiated  on  the  readiness  of  his  fellows- 
citizens,  to  concur  in  every  charitable  work,  (from? 
few  of  which  his  purse  or  his  presence  was  with- 
held.) This  place  and  this  occasion  unite  to 
excite  in  my  mind,  a  vivid  remembrance  of  his 
look  and  manner,  when  he  anticipated,  in  mo^ 
dest  hope,  his  joy  in  meeting  many  of  religious 
denominations  different  from  his  own,  before  the 
throne  of  heaven.  There,  I  doubt  not,  he  now 
stands  "  clothed  in  white  robes,  and  a  palm  in  his 
hand.*'  But,  to  use  nearly  his  own  words  on 
that  occasion  ;  "  though  possessed  of  these  em- 
blems of  righteousness  and  of  victory,  he  is  far 
from  claiming  any  merit  to  himself,  but  ascribes 
his  salvation  wholly  to  the  Lord  God  and  to  tho 


OP  HENRY  TUKE. 


sg 


l^amb."  Impressed  with  the  solemnity  of  this 
subject,  you  will  bear  with  me,  when  I  express 
my  serious  wbh,  that  while  associated  for  the 
christian  purpose  of  conveying  to  others  the 
knowledge  of  salvation,  we  may  be  careful  to 
secure  it  for  ourselves.  May  it  be  the  happy 
lot  of  each  of  us  to  ascend  in  death,  whither  we 
may  confidently  believe  our  late  valuable  friend 
is  gone  before  us  ;  and  where  the  unhappy  dis- 
tinction of  dissenter  and  churchman  will  be  for 
ever  extinguished,  by  enlargement  of  understand- 
ing, refinement  of  principle,  and  the  perfection 
of  love.** 


w  I 

I: 


It  may  not  be  improper  toadd>  on  this  affect- 
ing occasion,  a  little  piece  of  elegiac  poetry, 
which  was  composed  by  a  person*  who  highly 
valued  the  subject  of  this  Memoir,  and  sincerely 
deplored  his  loss ;  and  for  whom  he  entertained 
a  particular  respect  and  regard.  It  is  writttn  with 


f  Cbarlotte  RicbardsoDi 


40 


A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHT 


great  simplicity ;  and  not  only  possesses  poetical 
sneritj  but  contains  the  genuine  effusions  of  a 
heart  which  felt  what  it  described.  It  is  asp 
follows. 

LINES, 

On  theDeatk'of  Mr.  H.  Tuke,  August  Wfh,  1814? 
Respectfully  addressed  to  bis  Family. 


A  mournful  gloom  on  ev'ry  face  oppear9. 
From  €v*ry  eye  distil  the  humid  tears. 
From  whence  proceed  these  signs  of  general  wo  I 
For  Henry's  loss  those  heart-felt  sorrows  flow. 
Search  amidst  Ebor*s  worthiest  sons  around^ 
Who  more  than  he  with  Christian  virtues  crownM^ 
His  mind  with  heavenly  love  and  wisdom  fraught, 
His  life  adorn'd  the  doctrines  which  he  taught; 
Far  as  his  name,  his  influence,  could  extend, 
He  proved  himself  religion's  genuine  friend ; 
In  him  the  Christian  graces  were  combin'd, 
From  love  to  God  sprung  love  to  all  mankind ; 
While  raemVy  lasts,  on  many  a  grateful  breast 
Shall  bis  mild  virtues  ever  be  imprestt 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 

'Twas  his  delight  to  sooth  th*  afflicted  mind, 
And  point  to  where  the  soul  might  comfort  find. 
Hence  while  his  bounty  could  relief  impart, 
His  kindness  droppM  like  balm  upon  the  heart; 
The  pensive  widow's  sorrowing  heart  could  cheer. 
And  wipe  from  many  an  orphan's  face  the  tear. 


41 


Ob  my  lov'd  friend  !  when  late,  with  artless  lay^ 

I  hail'd  with  joy  sincere  thy  natal  day. 

How  little  thought  I,  ere  the  year  should  end, 

I  o'er  thy  grave  in  tearful  wo  should  bend  ! 

Nor  when  the  cause  of  truth  inspired  thy  tongue. 

And  listening  numbers  in  attention  hung. 

While  heaven's  pure  joys  seem'd  open  to  thy  view. 

Who  deem'd  that  that  would  prove  thy  last  adieu  f 

Who  thought  the  work  of  death  was  then  begun. 

And  thy  bright  course  of  glory  nearly  run  ? 

That  while  we  gaz'd  in  solemn,  sweet  delight, 

A  few  short  months  would  snatch  thee  from  oar  sight? 

Far  other  prospects  fond  affection  drew ; 

Lo/d  the  gay  scene,  and  thought  the  vision  true* 

Even  when  disease  had  fatal  inroads  made. 

And  science  owu'd,  ncT  power  on  earth  could  aid. 

The  flatterer  Hope  still  told  of  lengthened  years  ; 

And  dash'd  from  Sorrow's  hand  the  cup  of  tear». 


4d 


A    BIOSRAFHICAL   SKETCH 


OF   HENRY   TUKE. 


45 


Delusive  hopes !  long  cherish'd,  but  in  vain ; 
No  longer  might  the  soul  on  earth  remain. 
To  join  the  myriads  which  surround  the  throne^. 
And/realize  the  scene  sq  lately  drawn, . 
And  with  the  spirits  of  the  just  proclaim, 
**  Salvation  to  our  God,  and  to  the  Lamb/' 
The  spirit  fled,  and  to  that  City  soar'd. 
Whose  Maker  and  whose  Builder  is  the  Lord;. 
Which  needeth  not  the  sutt*s  enlivening  rays^ 
«  Her  walls  salvation,  and  her  gates  are  praise.'* 
The  days  of  mourning  find  a  period  here ; 
For  God  from  ev'ry  face  shall  wipe  the  tear/ 

O  may  this  thought  assuage  the  deep-felt  w(» 

Of  those  he  lov*d  and  cherish'd  here  below  I 

And  while  aflfection  shall  his  worth  proclaim^ 

And  tears  of  anguish  start  at  Henry's  narae^ 

Dear,  valued  Relatives!  O  raay-you  feelj 

Tluit  He  who  gave  the  wound  can  also  heal  I 

May  resignation's  sweet  aud  potent  balm, 

Shed  o'er  your  minds  a  sacred,  peaceful  calm  ! 

While  faiib  shall  lead  your  thoughts  from  scenes  of  w<y 

To  where  eternal  joys  and  pleasures  flow ; 

Where  death  is  not,  where  pain  and  sorrow  cease^ 

And  all  is  pure;  unutterable  peace ! 

September  17rA,  18 14# 


The  writer  of  this  Memoir  could  easily  ex- 
tend it,  by  enlarging  on  the  virtues  and  charac* 
ter  of  his  deceased  friend.  He  knew  him  well 
for  many  years,  and  esteemed  and  loved  him 
sincerely  :  and  he  feels  that  the  privation  of  his 
pleasant,  instructive  society  and  friendship,  is 
an  irreparable  loss.  But  though  this  intimate 
knowledge  would  enable  him  to  express  much 
more,  on  the  present  mournful  occasion,  yet  as 
the  friends  of  the  monthly  meeting  of  which  he 
was  a  member,  have  given  a  solemn  testimony, 
respecting  their  valued  friend,  which  has  been 
confirmed  by  the  Quarterly  meeting  for  the 
County  of  York ;  and  as  it  contains  an  ample 
enumeration  of  his  moral  and  religious  attain-, 
ments,  and  of  his  usefulness  in  public  and  pri- 
vate life ;  it  is  unnecessary  to  supply  the  defici- 
ences  of  this  "  Biographical  Sketch,"  any  farther 
than  by  inserting  the  testimony.  And  the  writer 
does  not  know  how  he  could  better  close  his 
narrative,  than  by  presenting  to  the  reader  so  re- 
spectable and  authentic  a  memorial  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  work. 


^11 


44 


A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH 


A  TESTIMONY 


OF 


YOJiK  MONTHLY  MEETINGr 
CoDcerning  Henry  Tuek,  deceased. 


To  commemorate,  on  suitable  occasions,  the 
virtues  of  our  deceased  friends,  who  have  been 
the  instruments  of  strength  and  refreshment  to  our 
minds,  is  a  tribute  of  affection  due  to  their  piouar 
labours,  a  grateful  acknowledgement  to  the  Giver 
of  all  good,  and  may  prove  a  comfort  and  en- 
couragement to  those  who  attentively  peruse  the 
memorials  of  their  lives. 

We  are  led  to  thes^e  reflections,  by  the  late 
mournful  event  of  the  death  of  our  much  es- 
teemed and  beloved  friend,  Henry  Tuke  ;  who^ 
at  a  period  of  life  when  his  religious  experience 
tmd  usefulness  were  eminently  conspicuous,  was, 
in  the  course  of  Divine  Providence,  taken  froitt 


OP   HENRY   TUKE. 


45 


^s,  and  removed  from  his  labours  of  love  in  the 
church  militant.  But  whilst  we  feel  and  lament 
the  loss  of  so  bright  an  example  of  piety  and 
virtue,  we  desire  to  bow,  with  humble  submis- 
sion, and  dutiful  resignation,  to  the  will  of  our 
Heavenly  Father ;  whose  dispensations,  though  of- 
jten  inscrutable  by  our  finite  comprehensions,  are 
all  assuredly  wise,  and  just,  and  good.  "  Shall 
not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do  right,''  both 
^hen  he  gives,  and  when  he  takes  away  ? 


By  the  Divine  Blessing  on  a  guarded  and  reli- 
gious education,  this  dear  friend  was  led  to 
"  Remember  his  Creator  in  the  days  of  his 
youth."  He  was  early  impressed  with  the  love 
of  his  Great  Benefactor,  and  disposed  to  render 
to  Him  the  returns  of  gratitude  and  obedience, 
for  his  manifold  mercies  :  and  he  was,  in  a  good 
de<yrec,  preserved  from  the  dangers  and  follies 
incident  to  that  period  of  life.  His  natural  dis- 
position was  quick  and  lively  ;  but  the  powerful 
•perations  of  the  grace  of  God  happily  tempered 


46  A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 

Lis  vivacity  of  nature,  and  rendered  it  conducive 
to  an  earnest  pursuit  of  his  moral  and  religious 
duties. 


In  the  twenty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  he  first  ap- 
peared as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel ;  and  evinc* 
ing  a  care  to  move  under  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  his  life  corresponding  with  this 
sacred  office,  his  ministry  was  sound  and  edifying, 
and  truly  acceptable  to  friends.  As  he  derived 
his  own  supplies  of  strength  and  consolation 
from  the  Fountain  of  Light  and  Life,  and  from  a 
dili^^ent  perusal  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  so  he 
was  solicitous  to  recommend  to  others,  a  reverent 
attention  to  these  great  sources  of  instruction, 
and  of  support  under  all  the  varied  events  of 
time  Although  he  was  diligently  engaged  in 
business,  and  in  the  cares  and  provisions  con- 
nected with  a  family,  yet  he  was  greatly  solici- 
tous to  secure  the  one  thing  needful,  the  pearl  of 
great  price ;  and  therefore,  under  all  his  outward 
concerns,  he  continued  to  increase  in  true  reli- 


-OT   HENRY  TVKE. 


47 


;gion,  in  the  lively  exercise  of  his  ministry,  »nd 
in  solicitude  for  the  salvation  of  his  fellow* 
creatures.  His  travels  in  the  love  and  labours 
of  the  Gospel,  ^ere  not  very  extensive  :  but  we 
have  reason  to  believe  they  were  owned  by  his' 
Great  Master,  and  were  comfortable  and  encou- 
raging to  many  amongst  whom  he  laboured. 
He  visited  Ireland  twice,  Scotland  five  times, 
Wales  and  the  Isle  of  Man  once,  and  also 
several  places  in  different  parts  of  England  :  and 
from  these  visits  he  returned,  we  believe,  with 
the  reward  of  peace. 


In  the  discipline  of  IheChuich,  he  was  skilful 
a«d  active,  and  extensively  useful.  He  felt  the 
great  importance  of  preserving  unimpaired  this 
hedge  and  guard  of  our  religious  principles 
and  practice.  But  influenced  by  a  judicious 
spirit  of  .charity  and  tenderness,  he  was  desirous 
that  his  zeal  for  the  maintenance  of  our  salutary 
institutions,  might  always  be  compatible  with 
the  design  of  them,  the  encouragement  of  the 


48  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH 

right-minded,  and  the  discountenancing  and  re- 
covery  of  backsliders.     In  these  services,  a  care 
evidently  rested  on  his  mind,  that  he  might  be 
humble  and  watchful,  and  that  his  ewn  views  of 
the  subject  should  not  be  urged  beyond  that 
deference  and  regard,  which  were  due  to  the 
sentiments  of  others— He  was  a  very  diligent 
attender  of  our  meetings  for  worship  and  disci- 
pline ;  and,  for  many  years,  he  regularly  attend- 
ed the  yearly  meeting  in  London,  where,  his 
natural   abilities   and    acquired   improvements 
being  sanctified  by  Divine  Grace,  he  was  ren- 
dered,  we  have  reason  to  believe,  in  no  small 
dewe,  useful,  in  supporting  the  cause  of  truth 
and  righteousness,  and  promoting  the  interests 
of  the  society. 

Though  he  was  not  exempt  from  trials  and 

conflicts  of  spirit,  he  bore  them  with  meekness 

and  submission  ;  and  evinced  the  dignity  of  his 

Christian   profession,    by   that   constancy  and 

cheerfulness,  which  are  recommended  by  our 


Of   HENRY   TUKB. 


4g 


Lord  to  his  disciples,  when  he  enjoins  them> 
**  not  to  appear  unto  men  to  fast."  He  was 
distinguished  for  a  benevolent  and  affectionate 
temper  of  mind,  ever  ready  to  relieve  the  troubles 
of  others,  and  to  promote  their  comfort  and 
allowable  enjoyments.  In  discharging  the 
various  duties  of  social  life,  he  had  peculiar 
satisfaction.  He  was  a  very  dutiful  and  respect- 
ful son,  a  tender  and  sympathizing  husband,  a 
kind,  discreet,  and  liberal  minded  father.  As 
he  knew  that  he  served  a  good  Master,  he  served 
Him  with  a  willing  mind :  and  being  a  grateful 
receiver  of  the  mercies  and  benefits  bestowed 
upon  him,  he  was  careful  frequently  to  number 
his  blessings;  and  to  ascribe  them  all  to  the 
bounty  of  that  Gracious  Being,  "  who  openeth 
his  hand,  and  satisfieth  the  desire  of  every  living 
thing." 


The  prosperity  of  true  religion  and  righteous- 
ness, cheered  his  spirit.  He  loved  to  hear  of 
the  welfare  of  his  fellow  creatures  of  every  de- 

c 


\\\ 


50  A   BIOOIAPHICAL   SKETCH 

opminaUoD,  and  in  every  part  of  the  world:  ind 
lie  was  sensibly  concerned  whea,  on  particular 
occasions,  he  perceived  the  prevalence  of  mjus- 
tice  and  iniquity.     It  may  justly  be  said  of  him, 
that  his  zeal   against  wrong  things,    and  his 
earnestness  to  promote  what  was  right,  were 
striking  and  exemplary.  In  particular,  the  cause 
of  the  oppressed  Africans,  the  .success  of  the 
Bible  Societies,  the  guarded  education  of  youtfi 
and  the  support  of  peaceand  good  order  amongst 
men,  lay  near  his  heart,  and  engaged  his  strenu- 
ous exertions.     And  as  he  possessed  an  unfeign- 
ed and  active  love  towards  others^  so  he  was 
greatly  beloved  by  a  numerous  and  extensive 
circle  of  relations  and  friends.      In  all  these 
thin<»8,  he  was  a  pattern  to  others*,  and  we  hope 
that  the  remembrance  of  his  life  and  conversation 
may,  through  Divine  Grace,  prove  the  means  of 
stirring,  up  many  to  go  and  do  likewise ;  to  imi- 
tate his  watchfulness,  charity,  zeal  and  cheerful- 
ness ;  his  love  to  God  and  love  to  men.    Whilst 
'thus  remembered,  he  will  not  be  entirely  lost  to 


OF   HENRY  TUKE. 


51 


US  :  though  dead,  he  will  yet  speak  the  encourag- 
ing language  of,  "  Follow  me,  as  I  have  follow- 
ed .Christ" 

Notwithstanding  the  various  occupations  of 
our  deceased  friend,  which  employed  so  much 
of  his  time,  his  love  for  the  rising  generation, 
and  zeal  for  the  propagation  of  sound  principles, 
and  right  conduct,  induced  him  to  prepare  and 
publish  several  little  volumes,  for  the  instruction 
of.youth  and  others,  on  many  important  subjects 
of  religion  and  morality.  These  pious  labours 
of  his,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  We  trust 
they  will  be  long  vahied  and  perused  by  many 
of  our  socie^,  as  books  containing  much  instruc- 
tion ;  and  as  interesting  evidences  of  his  tender 
regard,  and  earnest  desires  for  their  temporal 
and  eternal  w^lfar^. 

In  the  midst  of  his  benevolent  views  and  pur- 
suits, this  diligent  labourer  in  the  Lord's  vine^^ 
yj^rd,  about  a  year  before  his  decease,  began  to 


5«  A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH 

be  affected  with  bodily  infirmities.    They  gradu- 
ally  increased  upon  him,  and  at  length  confined 
bim  to  the  house,  for  nearly  eleven  vfeeks  pre- 
vious to  his  dissolution.     In  this  long  period  of 
decay,  he  continued  to  employ  himself  in  doing 
good ;  and  even  after  his  confinement,  his  love 
for  his  friends,  and  solicitude  for  their  welfare, 
remained  lively  and  active.     He  gratefully  com- 
memorated the  goodness  of  God^o  him,  which 
he  humbly  said  was  bestowed  in  mercy,  unment- 
ed  mercy.     To  those  about  him,  who  faithfully 
and  affectionately  ministered  to  his  necessities, 
be   often  expressed  his  thankful  acknowledg- 
ments;  and  manifested  his  concern  for  them, 
lest  they  should  not  be  sufficiently  attentive  to 
themselves.     Till  nearly  the  close  of  life,  he 
endeavoured,  occasionally,  to  cheer  and  encou- 
rage his  near  relatives^and  to  prevent  their  spirits 
from  suffering  too  muCh  depression,  under  thig 
afflictive  dispensation.      Through  the  whole  of 
his  illness,  which  was  at  times  very  painful,  he 
exhibited  gteat  ^and  exemplary  composure,  par 


aP   HBNRY   TUKE. 


5S 


tience,  and  resignation  to  the  Divine  will.  This 
favoured  state  of  mind,  with  many  expressions 
of  his  continued  love  to  others,  and  an  unfailing 
trust  in  God,  are  consoling  evidences  that, 
through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  immaculate, 
he  has  gained  an  admittance  mto  that  City, 
whose  walls  are  salvation,  and  its  gates  praise. 
The  evening  before  his  decease,  he  said,  with  a 
dignity  and  fortitude  becoming  a  faithful  ser- 
vant of  God  :  "  If  I  die,  I  die  as  I  have  lived, 
in  the  faith  and  hope  of  a  Christian.  I  am  per- 
fectly resigned  to  the  will  of  my  Heavenly 
Pather.'* 

'He  died  on  the  eleventh  of  the  eighth  month, 
1814,  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
thirty  fifth  of  his  ministry ;  and  was  buried  on 
the  sixteenth  of  the  same  month.  A  very 
solemn  meeting  was  held  on  the  occasion ;  in 
which,  and  at  the  grave,  the  Divine  power  of 
truth  prevailed,  and  many  hearts  were  deeply 
affected. 


54  A   BIOGKAPHXCAL  SKETCH,  &C. 

Read  and  approved  in  our  Monthly  Meeting, 
held  at  York  the  first  day  of  the  second  mouthy 
1815  ;  and  signed  by  many  Friends. 

Read  and  approved  in  York  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, held  at  Leeds  the  31st  of  the  3rd  month, 
1 8 1 5 ;  and,  on  behalf  thereof,  signed  by 

JOHN  HIPSLEY,  Jup.  Clerk. 


•rti*©©®©"^ 


FINIS. 


JUST  PUBLISHED, 
By  WILLIAM  ALEXANDER,  York. 


VOLUME  THE  SECOND 

OE 

H»  Tuke*s  BiOGRAPaiCAL  Notices,  containing  a  Supok" 
ment  to  the  Life  of  George  Fox,  ako  an  Account  of 
J.  Parnel,  J.  Camm,  W.  Robinson,  M.  Stevenson, 
M.  Dyer,  VV.  Leddra,  T.  Aldara,  J.  Nayler,  J.  Lilburne, 
G.  Fox  the  Younger,  R.  Hubberthorne,  W.  Ames, 
E.  Burrough,  H.  Smith,  J.  Audland,  W.  Caton,  and 
S.  Fisher.     Price  in  bds.  3s. ;  fne  paper  .....  4    0 

Of  W.  ALEXANDER.may  also  be  had, 
B.  Tukes  Biographical  Notices,  Vol,  I.  containing  the 
Life  oj  Geot^eloi,  bos,  3s.  6d.  i  fme.paper    .46 
H.  Tuke*s  Principles  of  Friends,  12mo.  bds.    -    2    6 

Jine  paper  -  3    6 

H.  Tuke*s  Duties  of  Religion  and  Morality,  as 
inculcated  in  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  adapted  to  the  perusal 
qfperson&ofexien/  religious  denominatum^.pot  8ro,  sheep 
Uttered,  or  12mo,  bds.  each  2s.  Qd. ;  fine,  paper  -  3    6 

Oa  both  these  works,  in  every  edftiooi  a  good  allowance  ii, 
made  od  one  dozen  copies  of  each» 


f 


H.  Turn  Select  Passaces/«»»  the  Holy  Scripture,  dc 
^ntd  to  mpre^K^ppn  the  mino.  of  young  persons,  the 
principal  Tn.lh,  of  C'hriahnity,  by  an  arrangement  ,f 
texts  under  various  heais;  titched,  6d. ;  fine    -  0    8 

a  Tuke's  T^^unofthc  Pe^lecalUd  Quaker,,in  our  lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  extracted  fron,  the  «,rUin&s  of 
various  authors  of  that  Society ;  st.Si.  i  fine   -  ■  0    8 

Each  of  the  too  last,  per  doz.  is.;  fine 

All  .he  .bo.e  W..k.,  and  th«  Bi.gr.phic.l  Sketch,  mi,  be 
had  io  4  vol,,  fine  p.per,  price,  in  extra  board.,  17..  6d. 

1    5    0 

or  calf  lettered »" 

u  A  Description  of  tue  Retreat,  near  York,"  for 
persons  afflicted  with  disorders  of  ike  mind,  among  the 
Societj,  of  Friends  ;  giving  a  historical  narrative  of  the 
rise  and  progress  of  the  Institution ;  a  description  of  the 
moral  and  medical  treatment  practised  in  it ;  and  many 
other  interesting  particulars;  with  three  4to.  plates, 
iescriptite  of  the  buimngs.    By  S.  Tt^KE.    4to.  fine 

,        .  0  12  0 

paper  and  extra  tmros  -  -  -  - 

L,»,  Letters,  &c.  of  Sarah  Grubb,  neatly  printei. 

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